Officials are concerned about extreme weather and potential cuts to forecasting and federal emergency funding.

Showers and thunderstorms are expected to develop Friday afternoon and evening, with the strongest activity likely across northern Lower Michigan. The National Weather Service has indicated a marginal risk of severe storms, with potential for heavy downpours and localized flooding.

On the east side of the state, Alpena is expected to top out in the high 60s with rain and storms continuing until about 11 p.m. July 6. The start to the week should be sunny with highs in the mid- to upper 70s.

The Storm Prediction Center put portions of West Michigan into the slight risk category for Friday afternoon into the evening hours. Severe weather is possible.

While severe storms are not widely expected, some locations may experience wind gusts up to 50 to 60 mph and small hail.

High pressure enforces a drier pattern across Upper Michigan, lasting through Thursday before a Central Plains system brings another soaking round of rain and thunder, plus warmer and humid conditions late Friday through Saturday. In addition to heavy downpours and lightning danger, an isolated thunderstorm can produce damaging hail and wind.

DETROIT – The rest of this Wednesday we’ll be watching the radar closely as a few showers and a couple of thunderstorms are looking to move through Southeast Michigan. Then, we look ahead to what is looking like another hot and muggy weekend around here.

What's more, three people died in more recent flooding in New Mexico. In south-central New Mexico, slow-moving storms and what was described as "monsoon rains" on Tuesday destroyed a mountain resort town 180 miles southeast of Albuquerque.