Severe Thunderstorms Bring Damaging Winds, Hail to Missouri and Flash Flooding to Michigan
Severe thunderstorms triggered flash flood warnings across parts of northern Michigan early Thursday while a separate storm brought damaging winds and hail to Adair County, Missouri, as Taiwan braced for continued extreme heat with alerts in seven cities and counties.
Severe Thunderstorms Strike Midwest United States
A severe thunderstorm near Kirksville, Missouri, produced 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail, threatening damage to roofs, siding, trees and vehicles in locations including Kirksville, La Plata and Queen City. [2] At 1149 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Kirksville, moving southeast at 35 mph, with hazards including 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail indicated by radar. [2] The impact includes expected hail damage to vehicles along with wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees in areas such as Kirksville, La Plata, Queen City, Novinger, Greentop, Downing, Brashear, Gibbs, Millard, and Kirksville Regional. [2] Another report placed a severe thunderstorm 10 miles northwest of Queen City, or 11 miles west of Lancaster, moving southeast at 50 mph, with the same hazards of 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. [5] This storm carried a history of 58 MPH winds and notable tree damage near Centerville Iowa, with radar confirmation of the threats to roofs, siding, and trees in locations including Lancaster, Queen City, Novinger, Greentop, Downing, and Greencastle. [5] The warnings highlight ongoing risks from these radar-indicated conditions across Adair County and surrounding spots in Missouri.
Flash Flooding Underway in Northern Michigan
Flash flooding is ongoing or imminent in Leelanau and Grand Traverse counties, Michigan, after thunderstorms dropped 0.5 to 3.5 inches of rain with up to 2 more inches possible, affecting creeks, urban areas, highways and low-lying spots. [3] [4] At 1219 AM EDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area in Leelanau County, where between 1.5 and 3.5 inches of rain have fallen and additional rainfall amounts up to 1 inch are possible. [3] The hazard involves flash flooding caused by thunderstorms, with impacts including flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas. [3] In Grand Traverse County, at 1215 AM EDT, Doppler radar showed thunderstorms producing heavy rain where between 0.5 and 2 inches of rain have fallen, with additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches possible. [4] Flash flooding remains ongoing or expected to begin shortly in central Grand Traverse County, posing similar hazards to creeks, streams, urban zones, highways, and low-lying spots until 345 AM EDT. [4] These conditions stem directly from the radar-detected heavy rainfall totals in the warned areas.
Taiwan Issues Heat Alerts Across Seven Regions
Taiwan's Central Weather Administration issued an orange heat warning for parts of New Taipei City and Hualien County where temperatures are forecast to reach 38°C or exceed 36°C for three consecutive days. [1] A yellow heat alert has been put into effect for parts of Changhua and Yunlin counties in central Taiwan, Pingtung County in the south and Taitung County in the east, warning of highs of over 36°C. [1] The orange and yellow heat alerts are to remain in effect until late this afternoon under the strengthening Pacific high-pressure system. [1] Elsewhere across Taiwan, daytime highs are expected to range between 32°C and 35°C, with high ultraviolet radiation levels warned particularly around midday. [1] The advisories cover seven cities and counties in total as scorching weather continues.
Forecast for Taiwan Through the Weekend
Brief thundershowers are possible in western Taiwan and heavy rain is forecast for the greater Taipei area on Thursday, with a tropical disturbance near the Philippines expected to bring increased rainfall to the island starting Friday night. [1] That weather pattern is expected to continue through Thursday before Taiwan feels the impact of the outer bands of the tropical disturbance on Friday and Saturday. [1] Despite prevailing sunny skies and weakening southwesterly winds, the Central Weather Administration noted the potential for these conditions to shift as the system approaches. [1] Independent meteorologist Wu Der-rong indicated rainfall is likely to increase in eastern Taiwan starting on Friday night and then extend to other parts of the main island on Saturday and Sunday. [1]
Tropical Disturbance Path and Regional Outlook
The weather system is currently located near the Philippines and moving toward the South China Sea, with the storm forecast to pass over Luzon Island in the Philippines on Saturday night before entering the South China Sea and moving toward Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong. [1] The Central Weather Administration added that the storm could destabilize weather conditions in Taiwan as it advances. [1] Wu Der-rong stated the tropical disturbance is expected to increase rainfall across eastern Taiwan first, then spread to additional parts of the island over the weekend. [1] This movement aligns with the outer bands influencing the region starting Friday night and continuing through Sunday. [1]
What to watch next: The tropical disturbance near the Philippines is forecast to pass over Luzon Island on Saturday night before entering the South China Sea and moving toward Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong, with rainfall expected to increase in eastern Taiwan starting Friday night and extend to other parts of the main island on Saturday and Sunday.
