National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Thunderstorm downburst winds and tornadoes -- both can be destructive, both are worth learning more about. Some storms produce one or the other, but some can do both. Meteorologically, the key difference whether the air descends down from a storm cloud or if it ascends up into a storm. They produce different patterns of damage... clues left behind even when they are not directly observed or photographed. Either way, your best bet in Michigan is to be ready to shelter in a sturdy building when severe storms approach, and be especially cautious of large trees that may fall.