50 mph winds, possible 'bomb cyclone' could hit Michigan

Power outages and flying patio chairs could be the scene this weekend as a powerful low pressure storm system moves from the Central Plains toward the Great Lakes.  

Southeast Michigan could see wind gusts of 50 mph on Sunday, said Ian Lee, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in White Lake Township. 

"If we do see 50 mph wind gusts throughout the entire course of the day, it will really increase the potential to see scattered to numerous power outages," he said. The system could potentially bring a "bomb cyclone," which occurs when a low pressure system has a rapid drop in central pressure of 24 millibars in 24 hours. Lee said the quick pressure drop is what leads to the strong winds.  

Most of Michigan's Lower Peninsula is expected to be impacted by system. 

The winds will die down Monday, but it will still be breezy. Gusts of 20 to 30 mph are possible. 

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Contact staff writer Ann Zaniewski at 313-222-6594 or azaniewski@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @AnnZaniewski.