The Short Answer
Damaging wind is routine in West Michigan. Federal storm records list about 1,260 thunderstorm wind reports from 2006 through 2025 in the 23 counties served by the Grand Rapids weather office, mostly from May to August, plus winter gale days from October to March. Shingles rarely fail because a gust beat their rating. They fail where they were never sealed, nailed wrong, or already aging: at eaves, rakes, ridges, vents and flashing.
Key Points
- The National Weather Service calls a thunderstorm severe at gusts of 58 mph or more; West Michigan logged about 190 thunderstorm wind reports of 70 mph or more from 2006 through 2025.
- Thunderstorm wind peaks in June and July; non-thunderstorm high wind days cluster from October through March.
- Michigan's code allows the lowest wind classes on its shingle table, but most architectural shingles sold today carry higher ratings.
- Wind ratings assume a sealed shingle nailed in the right place, which is why unsealed, misnailed or aged shingles fail at gusts well below the label.
- Edges, ridges and penetrations fail first, so they are where to look after a wind storm.
How Often Damaging Wind Hits West Michigan
NOAA's Storm Events Database is the federal log of significant weather reports, compiled by each National Weather Service office. We pulled every report filed by the Grand Rapids office, which covers 23 counties from Van Buren and Calhoun north to Mason and Clare, for the 20 years from 2006 through 2025. It lists 1,262 thunderstorm wind reports spread over about 290 separate storm days, which works out to roughly 14 days a year when a thunderstorm somewhere in West Michigan did damage or produced a severe gust.
Most of those reports describe damage, such as trees and power lines down, rather than a measured gust: only 143 came from an instrument, and the rest are estimates from the damage or from spotters. Nearly all of them put the gust at or above 58 mph, the point at which the Weather Service calls a thunderstorm severe. About 190 put it at 70 mph or more, 45 at 80 mph or more, and a dozen at roughly 90 to 100 mph, including estimates near 100 mph in Kent County on 20 August 2016 and 11 September 2019 and in Ottawa County on 15 May 2025. The strongest measured gusts were about 96 mph in Jackson County and 81 mph in Kent County on 30 March 2025, and about 87 mph in Ottawa County on 7 July 2017.
Two other wind types show up in the same record. The office logged 134 high wind reports, from big non-thunderstorm systems, on just 15 days in 20 years, but those days hit wide areas at once: 8 March 2017, 17 November 2013 and 28 December 2008 each produced reports from 23 county zones, with the strongest gusts on those days running from about 63 to 77 mph. And there were 93 tornado reports on 46 days. Tornadoes are a separate subject, but their outer winds do roof damage similar to a severe thunderstorm.
Our count from NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database detail files, 2006 to 2025, all reports filed by NWS Grand Rapids (WFO GRR), wind speeds converted from knots to mph. The database records reports, so counts depend on spotters and damage, not on a uniform network of instruments.
Three Kinds of Wind, Three Kinds of Damage
Not all wind is the same to a roof. The direction, the duration and the time of year all change what fails.
Thunderstorm downbursts
May through August, peak in June and July
In the Storm Events record, June and July alone account for nearly half of the thunderstorm wind reports, and May through August for about three quarters. Gusts arrive suddenly, last minutes, and come with heavy rain and sometimes hail. Damage is patchy: one street loses trees and shingles while the next is untouched. Wind-driven rain during the gust is what turns lifted shingles into leaks the same afternoon.
Derechos
Long-lived lines of storms
The Storm Prediction Center describes a derecho as a widespread, long-lived wind storm from a line of thunderstorms, with a damage swath at least 250 miles long, gusts of at least 58 mph along it and several gusts of 75 mph or more. More than three quarters occur from April through August. West Michigan's benchmark is the 31 May 1998 derecho, covered below.
Gradient wind days
October through March
Big low pressure systems over Canada or the Great Lakes can produce strong gusts over the whole state for most of a day, with no thunderstorm at all. In the Storm Events record, the Grand Rapids office's high wind reports fall mostly in November, December, February and March. These storms do not need extreme gusts to cause damage. Hours of 50 to 70 mph gusts in cold weather work at shingles whose sealant strips are stiff, brittle or never bonded.
Why shingles don't seal in cold weatherStorms West Michigan Remembers
The National Weather Service office in Grand Rapids describes the 31 May 1998 derecho as crossing West Michigan at an estimated 80 mph, with straight-line winds typically 60 to 90 mph and estimates up to 130 mph in a few spots. Radar sampled winds of 100 to 115 mph about 750 feet above the ground near Walker, and the Weather Service estimated 130 mph winds that destroyed buildings in Spring Lake. Four people died in Michigan, 146 were injured, and 13 counties received federal disaster declarations.
The 10 August 2020 derecho, which flattened crops across Iowa, was much weaker by the time it reached West Michigan. The Grand Rapids office's summary lists a 57 mph gust at the St. Joseph pier, 47 mph at Saugatuck and 45 mph at the Grand Rapids airport, with trees down in several towns. That is the usual pattern: most storms that reach us have weakened, but the lakeshore takes the first and strongest gusts.
The 8 March 2017 wind storm was a gradient wind day. The Weather Service office in Detroit described gusts in excess of 60 mph across lower Michigan from a strong low over Hudson Bay, with trees and power lines down, numerous reports of structural damage, and roughly 700,000 DTE Energy and more than 260,000 Consumers Energy customers affected. In West Michigan, the federal storm record lists a measured 64 mph gust in Kent County that day and estimates of up to about 70 mph in the southern counties.
What the Wind Rating on a Shingle Wrapper Means
Asphalt shingles are tested for wind in two ways, and the wrapper may show either or both. ASTM D3161 is a fan test: shingles that hold for two hours at 60 mph are Class A, at 90 mph Class D, and at 110 mph Class F. A sealed tab that lets go counts as a failure. ASTM D7158 measures how much uplift a sealed shingle resists and converts it to a wind speed. In its original version, Class D corresponded to 90 mph, Class G to 120 mph and Class H to 150 mph. The current version and the code express the same classes as design wind speeds that are higher numbers because of a different calculation method, up to about 116, 155 and 194 mph.
Both tests come with fine print. ASTM D3161 itself says its results do not directly correlate to wind speeds in service. ARMA notes that D7158's classes assume a mean roof height of 60 feet or less, exposure category B or C, and no topographic speed-up. Most important for a Michigan homeowner, both tests are run on shingles that are installed correctly and, for D7158, fully sealed. A shingle on a cold north slope that never bonded, or one nailed above the nail line, is not the shingle that was tested.
Lakeshore roofs and wind exposure
Why homes near open water get a stronger wind design category, and what changes in repairs near Lake Michigan.
Lakeshore roof repairsWhat Michigan's Residential Code Requires
Section R905.2.4.1 of the 2015 Michigan Residential Code requires asphalt shingles to be tested under ASTM D7158, to meet the class in Table R905.2.4.1 for the site's design wind speed, and to have packaging labeled with that classification. Michigan's own version of the design criteria table, adopted as administrative rule R 408.30516, lists a wind design speed of 90 mph and says wind exposure is decided site by site. At the low end of the code table, where Michigan's listed design speed falls, any of the D7158 classes D, G or H, or D3161 classes A, D or F, is acceptable.
In plain terms, the code minimum here is modest, and the extra wind rating printed on most architectural shingles is a margin above code, not a requirement. The code also sets fastening: Section R905.2.6 requires the manufacturer's number of fasteners, but never fewer than four per strip shingle. Manufacturers often call for more nails, or a specific high-wind pattern, for their highest wind warranties, so on a repair it is worth asking whether the replacement shingles are fastened to the instructions on that wrapper.
What Fails First When the Wind Picks Up
After Hurricane Michael, FEMA's building science team reported that unsealed and partially unsealed shingles were a source of failures in high winds, and that incorrect fastener location likely contributes, and it singled out rakes, eaves, hips and ridges for special attention. Those findings come from a far stronger storm than West Michigan sees, but they describe the same weak points. On roofs here, the usual order of failure looks like this.
- Rake edges and eaves, where wind gets under the first course; a missing or poorly set starter strip makes it worse.
- Ridge and hip caps, the most exposed shingles on the roof, which crack and loosen as they age.
- Tabs that never sealed, typically on north slopes or on roofs installed late in the fall, and tabs whose sealant has aged out.
- Shingles nailed too high, where one nail misses the course below and the shingle is held by fewer fasteners than designed.
- Ridge vents, box vents, turbines and vent hoods, which can be lifted or torn off and leave an open hole in the deck.
- Flashing and drip edge that are loose or poorly fastened, which can peel back and let wind-driven rain in.
- Damage from outside the roof: limbs, whole trees and neighbors' debris, which in a severe thunderstorm often cause more holes than the wind itself.
Checking the Roof After a Wind Storm
The safest check after wind is from the ground and the attic. Stay off the roof, watch for downed lines and do not climb a ladder near the service drop. If the roof is open and rain is coming, call for an emergency tarp rather than going up yourself.
- Step 1
Walk the Yard
Look for shingle pieces, ridge caps, vent hoods and flashing on the ground, and note which side of the house they came from.
- Step 2
Scan the Edges
With binoculars, follow every rake, eave, ridge and hip. Missing shingles show as dark strips; creased tabs show as a line across the shingle where it folded back.
- Step 3
Check the Vents
Count vents and caps against what you remember. A missing vent hood is a hole in the roof.
- Step 4
Look in the Attic
Daylight, wet sheathing or wet insulation after the storm mean water got in. Photograph it before anything is moved.
- Step 5
Document and Call
Take dated photos, keep any debris, and call a roofer for anything open or creased. If you plan to involve insurance, call your agent before permanent repairs.
Wind in West Michigan at a Glance
| Storm Type | Peak Months | Typical Gusts | What It Usually Damages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Severe thunderstorm | June and July (May to August) | 58 to 70 mph; sometimes 80 mph or more | Ridge caps, edge shingles, vents, tree damage |
| Derecho | Late spring and summer | 58 mph or more along a long swath; 75 mph or more in spots | Widespread shingle loss, trees through roofs |
| Gradient high wind day | October to March | Hours of 50 to 70 mph gusts | Unsealed and brittle tabs, loose flashing |
| Tornado (outer winds) | May to September | Varies widely | Everything above, plus structural damage |
Gust ranges summarize the NOAA Storm Events reports for NWS Grand Rapids, 2006 to 2025, and the SPC derecho definition. Individual storms vary.
Wind Lifted Something? Get It Checked Before the Next Storm
Creased and lifted shingles often look fine from the yard and leak in the next rain. We will inspect the roof for free, photograph what the wind did and lay out the options. If the roof is open, our phone is watched around the clock.
Related Guides
Hail in West Michigan and Your Roof
How often hail falls here, what sizes damage a roof, and when to inspect.
Learn MoreRoof Leaks Only in Heavy Rain or Wind
Why some leaks appear only in certain storms, and how to log them.
Learn MoreTree Damage to Roofs
Limbs, rubbing branches and what to do when a tree comes through.
Learn MoreWind Damage on Your Roof
Warning signs of wind damage and what to do next.
Learn MoreQuestions We Hear
What is a derecho, and has West Michigan had one?
A derecho is a long-lived line of thunderstorms that leaves a wide swath of wind damage. The Storm Prediction Center's definition calls for a damage path at least 250 miles long with gusts of at least 58 mph and several of 75 mph or more. West Michigan's best-known example is 31 May 1998, when the Weather Service estimated 130 mph winds in Spring Lake.
Why do winter wind storms damage roofs if the gusts are lower?
Duration and cold. A summer gust lasts seconds; a winter gradient wind can gust 50 to 70 mph for hours. Shingle sealant strips are stiff in the cold, and shingles installed in fall may never have sealed. A tab that is only nailed flexes back and forth for hours until it creases or tears off.
Are high-wind shingles worth it in Michigan?
Michigan's code minimum is modest, and most architectural shingles sold today already carry ratings well above it. The bigger difference usually comes from installation: correct nail placement, starter strips at eaves and rakes, and hand-sealing in cold weather. A higher rating on a poorly installed roof does less than a standard rating on a well-installed one.
How strong does wind have to be to damage a roof?
There is no single number. A well-sealed, well-nailed shingle can survive gusts far beyond anything recorded in West Michigan, while an unsealed or aged tab can lift in a much weaker gust. Severe thunderstorms here commonly gust 58 to 70 mph, enough to expose any weakness. Check the edges and ridges after any storm with a severe thunderstorm or high wind warning.
Does the National Weather Service keep records of storms on my street?
Partly. NOAA's Storm Events Database lists reported damage and gusts by county and approximate location, and the Grand Rapids office posts summaries of major events. These records help show that a storm happened on a given date, but they rarely capture every street, and reports depend on spotters and damage being found.
What This Page Cites
- Storm Events Database, bulk detail files 2006 to 2025 (WFO GRR), NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/swdi/stormevents/csvfiles/), accessed October 2026
- The Derecho of 31 May 1998, NWS Grand Rapids (https://www.weather.gov/grr/summary19980531), accessed October 2026
- August 10, 2020 Derecho, NWS Grand Rapids (https://weather.gov/grr/10August2020derech), accessed October 2026
- March 8, 2017 High Wind Event, NWS Detroit/Pontiac (https://www.weather.gov/dtx/highwindwarning170308), accessed October 2026
- Facts About Derechos and About the SPC (severe thunderstorm criteria), NOAA Storm Prediction Center (https://www.spc.noaa.gov/misc/AbtDerechos/derechofacts.htm and https://www.spc.noaa.gov/misc/about.html), accessed October 2026
- 2015 Michigan Residential Code, Chapter 9, Sections R905.2.4.1, Table R905.2.4.1 and R905.2.6, via UpCodes (https://up.codes/viewer/michigan/mi-residential-code-2015/chapter/9/roof-assemblies), accessed October 2026
- Mich. Admin. Code R 408.30516, Table R301.2(1) as amended, via Legal Information Institute (https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/michigan/Mich-Admin-Code-R-408-30516), accessed October 2026
- Using ASTM D7158 Where Standard Conditions Do Not Apply, Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (https://www.asphaltroofing.org/using-astm-d7158-where-standard-conditions-do-not-apply/), accessed October 2026
- Mark S. Graham, The wind resistance of shingles, Professional Roofing, NRCA, September 2018 (https://professionalroofing.net/articles/article/4302), accessed October 2026
- Best Practices for Minimizing Wind and Water Infiltration Damage, Hurricane Michael in Florida Recovery Advisory 2 (June 2019), FEMA (https://www.floridabuilding.org/fbc/commission/FBC_0220/HRAC/MichaelRA2_060719_508_FNALforposting.pdf), accessed October 2026