<p>Southwest Michigan may potentially see strong damaging winds and heavy rains today with the possibility of hail. The region is home to an array of crops ranging from apples, blueberries and peaches to tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. Also in the region are cherries, grapes, plums and strawberries.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>The stronger part of the front is expected to make its way into the region in the evening while early morning storms from around 6 am to 10 am have a less severe weather risk.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>One grower tells AndNowUKnow that winds may get up to 60 mph, but as far as weather goes, this isn't normal but not out of the ordinary. He notes that the state has a crop on the trees this year which is a lot better than last year. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Bill Shane, Sr Extension Specialist, Michigan State University Extension, tells AndNowUKnow, "Some growers are spraying fungicides in anticipation of rains that favor diseases. Southwest growers generally take no precautions other than being ready to spray for bacterial diseases following high winds and or hail." </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Shane also mentioned that hail tends to be narrow bands from west to east affecting growers in the band but not north or south of it. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for updates on the weather in Michigan.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/grr/webinars/20130611_Severe_Weather_Potential_Wednesday.pdf" target="_new"> Southwest Michigan </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
