Storm Strikes Area Sunday

Two thunderstorms, one producing hail, hit Mackinac and Chippewa counties Sunday, July 8. Both resulted from a cold front that began in Canada and moved southward across Michigan, said Dave Lawrence, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Gaylord. Individual storms produced by the front scattered across the state and moved in many directions, he added.

No damage was reported as a result of the storm, aside from downed trees near Cut River, said the Mackinac County Sheriff's Department. No electrical problems were reported in the St. Ignace area, said Charlie Litzner of Edison Sault Electric. The highest wind gusts reported by the Mackinac Bridge Authority were 34 miles per hour in the afternoon, and 25 miles per hour in the morning.

"The best storm of the day" began about 11:30 a.m., Mr. Lawrence said. It started just north of Trout Lake in Chippewa County and moved into the Hessel/ Cedarville area in Mackinac County about 12:30 p.m. The storm produced penny-sized hail and one inch of pounding rain, which was "much needed" after very dry weather in recent weeks, Mr. Lawrence said. The morning storm did not produce strong winds, but involved serious enough conditions for the Weather Service to issue a severe thunderstorm warning, at about 11:35 a.m., he added.

The second storm took place between 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. It began over Lake Michigan, produced a great deal of lightning, and soaked much of Mackinac County. The storm was severe over the lake but weakened as it approached the area, Mr. Lawrence said.

Most of the lightning was cloud-to-cloud lightning, but there were approximately 100 cloud-to-ground strikes in Mackinac County.

Michigan experienced high temperatures Sunday. When the cold front pressed into the hot, unstable air, it produced the storms, which are normal for July, Mr. Lawrence explained.

The result will be cooler air for the rest of the week and weekend, Mr. Lawrence told The St. Ignace News Monday, July 9.

No further storms are expected this week. At points, "we may struggle to see 70 degrees Fahrenheit," he added.