Michigan Storm History
By StormAuditor Editorial Team · Published 2026-08-07 · Updated 2026-08-07
Based on public NOAA and National Weather Service records, published under StormAuditor's methodology and data-source standards. Radar-derived hail sizes are estimates unless attributed to a ground report.
Michigan's top storm counties, such as Ottawa and Kent, have experienced significant severe weather events in recent years. StormAuditor provides tools to research date of loss and storm events in these areas.
Michigan has had many severe weather events in recent years. Some counties get more than others. In StormAuditor's data, the top counties for storm events are Ottawa, Kent, and Ingham.
Top Storm Counties in Michigan
The top Michigan counties for storm events are:
- Ottawa County, with 15 events and a maximum radar-estimated hail size of 2.75 inches
- Kent County, with 9 events and a maximum hail size of 1 inch
- Ingham County, with 7 events and a maximum hail size of 1 inch
These counties have seen a range of severe weather, including hail, wind, and tornadoes.
How to Research a Date of Loss in Michigan
To research a date of loss in Michigan, use these StormAuditor tools:
- The Address Lookup tool finds weather data for one address.
- The Date of Loss Weather Research tool finds weather data for a date and place.
- The Weather on This Date tool shows weather events on a specific date.
Notable Storm Days in Michigan
Some notable storm days in Michigan:
- July 20, 2026 — Ottawa County — 63 mph wind gust
- July 27, 2026 — Kent County — 4.09 inches radar-estimated hail (MRMS MESH: a radar estimate of the largest hail at the ground; ground-verified sizes are typically smaller)
- March 9, 2026 — Ingham County — 2.55 inches radar-estimated hail
- July 25, 2026 — Monroe County — 2.91 inches radar-estimated hail
These events show how severe Michigan weather can get. They are a reason to be ready for severe weather.
Limits of Storm Data
StormAuditor gives accurate, reliable weather data. Still, the data has some limits:
- Radar and MESH data can under-estimate wet hail. They can over-estimate hail in very strong reflectivity cores.
- Wind stations can miss microbursts, so peak gusts can be under-estimated.
Related StormAuditor Tools
For more on severe weather in Michigan, use these StormAuditor tools:
- Hail Explorer to see hail swaths and reports
- Wind Explorer to see wind gust and warning history
- Storm History to see a record of severe weather events
FAQ
Q: What size hail is severe in Michigan?
A: Hail 1 inch or larger across is severe in Michigan.
Q: How can I find out if a storm hit on a specific date in Michigan?
A: Use StormAuditor's Weather on This Date tool to find weather data for that date.
Q: What is the most common severe weather event in Michigan?
A: In StormAuditor's data, hail is the most common severe weather event in Michigan.
Q: Can StormAuditor give wind gust data for Michigan?
A: Yes. StormAuditor gives wind gust data for Michigan, including peak gusts and warning history.
Q: How can I research a date of loss in Ottawa County, Michigan?
A: Use StormAuditor's Address Lookup tool to find weather data for an address in Ottawa County.