Overnight rain was moving out of Michigan on Wednesday morning, Aug. 12, but forecasters say storms could develop later in the day across part of the state because of a heat dome in the Plains states.
The National Weather Service in Northern Indiana, which covers Southwest Michigan, said the continuing cycle of storms in the Midwest and Ohio Valley is due to a "ring of fire" weather pattern.
"Why has the weather been so active lately? With persistent northwest flow aloft, we have been in the 'Ring of Fire' weather pattern. This is a very persistent pattern where multiple rounds of storms impact the same areas as they ride the periphery of a large upper level ridge," the weather service said.
The weather service said the common pattern, centered around high pressure aloft called a heat dome or ridge, creates repeated rounds of strong to severe storms around its edges. Although the weather service said the pattern is easy to identify, it's difficult to predict where storms will strike more than 12-24 hours ahead of time.
Clusters of storms in Michigan are expected to develop Wednesday afternoon and evening, shifting southeast across the Lower Peninsula. Northeast and southeast areas of the Lower Peninsula could experience the worst conditions, including major cities like Detroit, Ann Arbor, Flint, Saginaw, Mt. Pleasant, West Branch and Tawas City, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters say 60 mph wind gusts, 1-inch hail, flash floods, lightning are the possible risks, and a tornado can't be ruled out the Detroit NWS said.
Southeast Michigan is expected to see storms as early as 3 p.m. tapering off around 10 p.m.
In northern Michigan, early morning storms have already developed, but they were moving southeast and over Lake Huron.
Additional storms are expected to arrive in the northern Lower Peninsula by noon and linger until 8 p.m.
"A few showers are possible this morning (Aug. 12). A better chance for showers and storms will occur this afternoon in northeast lower Michigan. Some of these could be strong, perhaps even severe. These diminish heading into tonight, and dry weather is expected to end the work week," the Gaylord NWS said on Aug. 12 on X.
Drier conditions are expected in the In the Upper Peninsula, though there are still some chances for rain.
"Dry weather for most today and tonight (Aug. 12), but there is a 15-30% chance of showers forming along the lake breezes of the Great Lakes this afternoon as well as remnant showers from storms over MN tonight. Highs mostly in the 70s today, lows mostly in the 50s tonight," the Grand Rapids NWS said in a Aug. 12 X post.
Statewide, temperatures on Wednesday, Aug. 12 range in the 80s to 70s with colder air in the U.P.
Residents are urged to ensure multiple ways of receiving weather alerts during the day and night, and to stay updated on forecasts.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 'Ring of fire' weather pattern will bring storms to Michigan today