More rain, storms in forecast, but relief on the way

As Michiganians recover from a weekend of storms, tornadoes and flooding amid the potential for more rain this week, forecasters warned Tuesday is most likely to deliver another round of severe weather.

"Shower/thunderstorm coverage will be more substantial on Tuesday ...," the National Weather Service said Monday. "With a very warm and moist air mass still in place, expect the flooding potential to increase as well as more locations receive heavy rainfall. Localized rainfall amounts could certainly reach 1 to 2 inches. ... Given recent heavy rainfall, the flooding potential will be monitored closely over the next several days."

Southeast Michigan, which was hammered by flooding and severe storms over the weekend, has a 70%  chance of rain Tuesday, according to the weather agency. 

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm are likely after 2 p.m. as the mercury climbs into the upper 80s, according to the NWS forecast. Peak time for more severe weather, it says, is 5-8 p.m.

"Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms will again be likely today with highly variable rainfall totals expected," according to NWS. "Any repeatedrou nds of thunderstorm activity will have the potential for bringing rainfall totals of one inch or more."

 But the storms are not expected to generate the same sort of widespread deluge that sparked last weekend's problems, meteorologist Mike Richter said.

"There could be some localized heavy downpours, but nothing to suggest we will have flooding," Richter said. 

Another band of showers quickly pushed through southeast Michigan on Monday night, delaying Detroit's Ford Fireworks.

Some spots in Wayne County saw less than an inch of rain, and wind gusts reached 30-40 mph before 10 p.m., Richter said.

By Tuesday morning, about 13,000 DTE Energy customers were without power; Consumers Energy reported more than 1,200.

Michigan State Police also reported localized flooding on the Lodge Freeway near Wyoming in Detroit. 

Additional rain could hamper recovery efforts as residents dry out basements, yards and homes.

Interstate 94 near the Detroit-Dearborn border remains closed as authorities clear water, vehicles and debris after torrential rainfall Saturday and Sunday. The roadway will be inspected for damage before it reopens, the Michigan Department of Transportation says.

A stormy pattern continues Wednesday, when highs reach the 80s, and there's also a chance on Thursday, which is expected to be cooler and less humid as a front arrives, Richter said.

Friday and Saturday should be sunny and dry with highs in the 70s, according to the weather service.

"We finally break this pattern," Richter said.