Severe Thunderstorms Possible In Metro Detroit As Hazy Skies Linger

METRO DETROIT — Severe thunderstorms are possible Thursday evening across metro Detroit, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters expect the strongest storms to cross the area sometime between 6 p.m. and midnight as temperatures reach the mid 80s, according to the National Weather Service.

The storms will be capable of producing heavy rainfall, large hail and damaging wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.

Any thunderstorms that move into the area Thursday evening may be able to clear out wildfire smoke that has plagued skies across southeastern Michigan over the past few days.

The air quality index in the Detroit area improved to 175 Thursday morning, but the reading is still "unhealthy for sensitive groups" and could transition into "very unhealthy" at times, according to AirNow.Gov. The region's air quality index was 306 Wednesday morning.

All of southeastern Michigan was under an air quality alert through at least Thursday.

There will also be thunderstorm chances in the area on Friday during the afternoon hours when temperatures push 90 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

Here's the National Weather Service's extended look at metro Detroit:

Thursday: A chance of showers, mainly before 11 a.m. Widespread haze. Areas of smoke before 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 84 degrees. South wind 6 to 10 miles per hour. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 89 degrees. West southwest wind 7 to 10 miles per hour. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 86 degrees. Northwest wind 5 to 8 miles per hour becoming south southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Sunday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Monday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80 degrees. A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m, then a chance of showers between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65 degrees.