By Thursday morning’s show, things were still somewhat up in the air. Weather computer models were all over the place with several not showing much in the way of severe storms. However, looking deeper we had a strong jet stream overhead Thursday evening with 100-kt winds roaring overhead at 500-mb along with very deep wind shear. Strong winds aloft leads to converging winds near the surface which allows the air to rise and condense producing clouds and storms. The winds turned with height and were at different speeds (Wind Shear) with deep low pressure over Minnesota. The only thing missing was instability or some sunshine to heat things up. By the Midday show at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, Chief Meteorologist Greg MacMaster and I were discussing/analyzing the threat for severe weather. Clouds were widespread and without the sun to provide fuel for the storms, it was going to be an all or nothing event but satellite pictures were showing some clearing. I ran downtown in Traverse City to get some errands finished after work, and when I emerged outside around 1:00 P.M., the sun was shining in the wake of a warm front. It didn’t take long… storms went up and broke through between 3:00 and 3:30 P.M. and continued well into the night. I lost electricity at my place for several hours and Greg and Jayne were cutting in to alert people as the storms ravaged much of Northern Michigan.

The National Weather Service Forecast Office in Gaylord conducted storm surveys last Friday and confirmed five tornadoes did indeed touch down over Cheboygan, Kalkaska, Oscoda, Alpena, and Alcona counties. Just today they confirmed that a sixth tornado that touched down along the Alcona/Oscoda county line near McCollum Lake (Tornado Surveys) We also had the first tornado related fatality in our viewing area since March of 1976. It’s certainly sad and I know my prayers go out to the family and friends of the victim. Tornado outbreaks like this are fortunately because of where we live, few and far between, but when they do occur, they can leave a long lasting impression.

–Meteorologist Joe Charlevoix