Thunderstorms
A thunderstorm is a storm that contains both thunder and lightning. They can produce flash flooding, gusty winds, hail, and even tornadoes. The southern part of the United States has the highest number of average annual thunderstorms, especially those states located near the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.
Both the Lower and Upper Peninsulas typically observe less than 40 thunderstorms a year, depending on the location within the state. Most of the thunderstorm activity is seen during the summer months.
Source: NOAA
Did You Know?
Hail stones the size of softballs (4.50” in diameter) have been reported multiple times across Michigan since 1950. One of the more recent occurrences happened on August 2, 2015, in Ogemaw County. More than $32 million in damages to property (homes and cars) was caused by waves of severe thunderstorms, spawned by a passing cold front, that moved through the area of West Branch, MI.