Pictured is hail from Tuesday evening’s storm in Trenary. (Photo courtesy of Brianna Trobridge)

TRENARY — The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado did, in fact, touch down near Trenary on Tuesday evening during that night’s storm.

“A thunderstorm initiating in southern Marquette County continued to develop into a supercell thunderstorm as it moved east into Delta and Alger County,” said the NWS statement. “As the thunderstorm began splitting, the southern segment intensified and produced a weak, EF-0 tornado south of Trenary, MI in Delta County. The tornado crossed Alger Delta 43rd road and proceeded northeast before dissipating.”

According to the NWS, peak wind speeds were estimated at 85 mph, and the tornado’s path was .6 miles long and 25 yards wide. The path was estimated using drone footage collected by the Alger County Sheriff’s Office and data collected during the NWS’ ground survey.

The tornado did not cause any injuries, but it did cause tree damage. This was the last confirmed tornado in the Upper Peninsula since 2020.

“(Tornadoes) aren’t impossible here,” said Lily Chapman, meteorologist with the NWS in Marquette. “People do have that impression. We don’t get them that often, but they certainly are possible here.”

Chapman said that Tuesday evening’s storm created an environment that was favorable for the formation of weak tornadoes. Conditions like wind shear and abrupt changes in wind speed and direction, when combined with hot, moist air, can increase the possibility of a tornado forming.

Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.