Published: June 18, 2009 10:08 pm      

Storm expected to be damaging

Local officials bracing for system moving through today

Cass County will have storm spotters on call for a strong weather system moving through the area today.

Beginning this afternoon, the National Weather Service is calling for winds of up to 70 mph, heavy rainfall and the possibility of tornadoes. In a conference call Thursday, forecaster Justin Arnott said there is good chance for severe weather in 37 counties in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan covered by the service’s North Webster office.

The window of greatest threat starts at 4 p.m. and lasts until 7 p.m., although due to an unstable air mass, thunderstorms could pop up sooner, he said.

Temperatures will be the highest all year. As they near or top 90 degrees, a strong cold front is expected to approach this afternoon.

“That will be fuel for the fire for a pretty potent cold front that will come through Friday afternoon and evening,” Arnott said.

Straight-line winds present the biggest potential for damage. Trees could get uprooted, along with power outages from downed utility lines.

Arnott said the mixture of warm and cold air could touch off tornadoes.

Rain could fall at a rate of an inch per hour, which would cause quick ponding on roadways as motorist make their way home. The rain is not expected to last more than two hours.

EMA director Alvin Beckman sat in on the conference call. He said he and local storm spotters will monitor the weather closely.

“We’ll see what happens and see how things work out,” Beckman said.

• Kevin Lilly is news editor of the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached at (574) 732-5117 or kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com