.png)
The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids has issued a tornado watch, which includes Mason and Oceana counties and surrounding Lake Michigan waters, in effect until 4 a.m. Wednesday.
The watch covers the lakeshore from Pentwater to Manistee — placing Mason County directly within the affected area — along with a broad stretch of adjacent nearshore and offshore waters on Lake Michigan.
The National Weather Service said the watch includes the following adjacent coastal waters:
St. Joseph to South Haven; South Haven to Holland; Holland to Grand Haven; Grand Haven to Whitehall; Whitehall to Pentwater; Pentwater to Manistee; Lake Michigan from Pentwater to Manistee 5 nautical miles offshore to mid-lake; Lake Michigan from Whitehall to Pentwater 5 nautical miles offshore to mid-lake; Lake Michigan from Grand Haven to Whitehall 5 nautical miles offshore to mid-lake; Lake Michigan from Holland to Grand Haven 5 nautical miles offshore to mid-lake; Lake Michigan from South Haven to Holland 5 nautical miles offshore to mid-lake; Lake Michigan from St. Joseph to South Haven 5 nautical miles offshore to mid-lake.
The National Weather Service issues tornado watches when atmospheric conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. Residents are urged to remain alert, especially overnight when storms can be more difficult to track.
In Mason and Oceana counties, residents should monitor weather alerts closely and have multiple ways to receive warnings, including weather radios and mobile alerts.
Boaters on Lake Michigan are also advised to use extreme caution, as rapidly changing conditions could produce strong winds, waterspouts, and dangerous waves.
A tornado watch does not mean a tornado has been spotted, but that conditions are favorable for severe weather. If a tornado warning is issued, residents should seek shelter immediately.
Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Please Support Local News and Sports Coverage
Receive daily MCP and OCP news briefings along with email news alerts for $10 a month. Your contribution will help us to continue to provide you with free local news.
The payment can be paid monthly through PayPal: Click this link.
To sign up for an annual subscription, email editor@mediagroup31.com. In the subject line write: Subscription. Please supply your name, email address, mailing address, and phone number (indicate cell phone). We will not share your information with any outside sources.
For more than one email address in a household, the cost is $15 per month per email address.
We can send you an invoice for a yearly payment of $120, which you can conveniently pay online or by check. If you are interested in this method, please email editor@mediagroup31.com and we can sign you up. You can also mail a yearly check for $120 to Media Group 31, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454 (please include your email address).
Payment must be made in advance prior to subscription activation.
We appreciate all our readers regardless of whether they choose to continue to access our service for free or with a monthly financial support.
_____
This story and original photography are copyrighted © 2026, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.
As the services of Media Group 31, LLC are news services, the information posted within the sites are archivable for public record and historical posterity. For this reason it is the policy and practice of this company to not delete postings. It is the editor’s discretion to update or edit a story when/if new information becomes available. This may be done by editing the posted story or posting a new “follow-up” story. Media Group 31, LLC or any of its agents have the right to make any changes to this policy. Refer to Use Policy for more information.
