Central Michigan University

• Severe weather season hasn't ended in Michigan

Topics in this story: College of Science and Technology, Geography, News tips and sources

SOURCE:
Martin Baxter
assistant professor of meteorology
989-774-2055
baxte1ma@cmich.edu

A very active weeklong weather pattern over the central U.S. brought severe storms through Michigan. Strong winds, hail and one reported tornado damaged homes and businesses and caused fatalities. Central Michigan University meteorologist Martin Baxter is available to comment on the recent catastrophic weather patterns and what Michigan can expect in the near future.

A few of Baxter's initial thoughts on the subject:

• "The particular line of storms that moved through Michigan on June 8 is unique in that it is classified as a 'derecho,' a Spanish word which can be defined as 'straight ahead.' A line of storms is classified as a derecho when it exhibits many reports of strong winds over a widespread area. Just as a group of many smaller rotating storms can produce an outbreak of tornadoes, a derecho can produce an outbreak of severe straight-line winds."
• "The events on Sunday demonstrate that the threat from straight-line winds can be just as deadly as that from a tornado. In the presence of such a threat, one should take the same precautions as would be taken if a tornado were approaching. Threats from flash floods can persist for several hours, if not days, after the majority of the rain has fallen. Despite the increasing ability of meteorologists to provide the public with adequate warnings and education on severe weather precautions, some injuries and fatalities will be more difficult to prevent due to the high degree of danger associated with severe weather conditions. It is best to take cover indoors if at all possible and stay tuned to local weather information when skies appear threatening or when significant rain has fallen over a short period."
• "Over the coming days, cooler, drier conditions will provide us with a respite from the severe weather, although medium range forecasts suggest the active pattern at the jet stream level will persist. This suggests continued above-normal precipitation for the upper Midwest. On average, early to middle July is the most likely time for tornadoes, severe wind and hail in Michigan. Thus, we definitely have not seen the end of the severe weather season in Michigan."

Baxter's primary research interests involve weather analysis and forecasting and precipitation systems. He has trained many U.S. and Canadian government forecasters and has recently served as lead academic instructor for one of the preeminent weather forecaster training courses in the United States at the Cooperative Program for Operational Meteorology, Education and Training in Boulder, Colo.

CMU Media Relations contact:
Heather Smith
989-774-1702
heather.smith@cmich.edu