Next storm system: Timeline on thunderstorms, rain and is there any snow?

A storm system will bring somewhat spring-like rains through Michigan Thursday. Here’s the timeline and where severe thunderstorms could pop up.

March storms usually have a cold side with snow and a warm side with thunderstorms. This storm will have both of those sides, but the cold side won’t be cold enough for any snow. The warm side will just nudge into southern Michigan, and that’s what gives part of southern Michigan a chance for a few severe thunderstorms.

I guess we start with the most important thing to know about tomorrow’s storm system. The Storm Prediction Center does put the area from I-94 southward into a small chance of isolated tornadoes, isolated hail and isolated brief, strong wind gusts.

From I-94 southward into far southern Michigan is where some isolated severe thunderstorms are possible tomorrow.

In the southern half of Michigan, we will have showers already by the first half of the morning. Here’s the radar forecast showing the rain increasing through the morning. Thursday afternoon looks wet across most of Lower Michigan.

Look for a round of thunderstorms tonight right across the southern border. Next, tomorrow morning will have an area of rain with thunderstorms lifting north across all of Lower Michigan.

The rain will sweep southeast out of Michigan fairly quickly Thursday night. Friday should be mostly dry with just spotty, light showers.

It’s going to be a solid soaking rain for most of Lower Michigan.

Here’s the best estimate of the total rainfall Thursday and Thursday night.

I’d call it a half inch to one inch rain for most of us. From Traverse City to Oscoda and northward will be lesser rains - around one-quarter of an inch.

Since our weather continues to stay warmer than normal by one month, we should expect this rain to act like April showers. Here comes a greening of the grass.