Severe storm warnings were widespread yesterday afternoon as the cold front moved across lower Michigan.  There were impressive photos of a large shelf cloud that passed over the Pontiac area as storms became severe after forming over us.  I watched this grow from a little blip on the radar to a massive red cell which covered a large area from the thump down to the Detroit area. My son, who lives in Northville near Detroit, said that their tornado sirens were going off.  This formed just to our northwest and only dropped 0.01″ in my gauge.  Just after passing us, it started enlarging with red and yellows developing on radar.  Why couldn’t it have become stronger before my area?  As it is, we’re still in drought status with a burn ban in effect.

Our 1:30 PM temperature is a very comfortable 80°F (27°C), the humidity is 35%, and winds are from the northwest at 14 mph.  The dew point is 49°F (9°C).  The heat index is 79°F (26°C) and skies are partly cloudy.  Yesterday’s high was 93°F (34°C) and the overnight low was 59°F (16°C).  Sunrise was at 6:13 AM and sunset will be at 9:13 PM.  Averages for this date are 82°F / 59°F.  The record high for July 16 is 96°F set in 1988, and the record low is 43°F set in 1987.

DURAND – OWOSSO FORECAST:

This Afternoon: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Northwest wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 53. North northwest wind 3 to 8 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 78. North wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 54. Light and variable wind.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 83. South wind 3 to 7 mph.