Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Grand Rapids, MI
Issued by NWS Grand Rapids, MI
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707 FXUS63 KGRR 181716 AFDGRR Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI 1216 PM EST Tue Nov 18 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Wintry Mix Today - Chance for Rain Thursday into Friday && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 238 AM EST Tue Nov 18 2025 - Wintry Mix Today Our round of wintry weather today is currently expanding from Wisconsin into southern Lake Michigan and tied to the 700mb frontogenesis and 500 mb positive vorticity advection. Forecast remains on track for this to move into southwest Michigan in the next few hours with South Haven already observing rain. Our best lift will be through early to mid morning with this area 700 mb frontogenesis. 925mb to 850mb temperatures are currently around 0C which you can also see reflected on the surface temperatures. Depending on where you are in this temperature profile will determine the precipitation type you see. Initially expecting rain in southwest Michigan with a transition to snow to the northeast. As the low to mid level temperature profile adjusts we could see more of a rain/snow/sleet mix. At this time freezing rain is limited as ground temperatures are still warm, and with the cloud cover increasing road temperatures have also increased to around 3 degrees or so warmer than the air temperature. The better chances are with elevated surfaces like bridges and overpasses that will be closer to the air temperature. If we see a good burst of sleet that could also drop surface temperatures creating slick conditions. Any snow accumulations are expected to be less than an inch. Overall there could be some slick spots for the morning commute with the wintry mix, make sure to give yourself a little extra time this morning. As we head into the afternoon we could see more of a transition to rain across much of the area as we lose cloud ice. Showers will clear during the late afternoon and early evening with dry conditions expected overnight into Wednesday morning. - Chance for Rain Thursday into Friday Temperatures will warm through the week with a return to the 50s Thursday into Friday. However that will bring a chance for rain Thursday night through Friday morning. Precipitation amounts will be determined on low position, but at this time the best QPF remains north and southward of Lower Michigan. Temperatures will continue to trend around to just above normal through the end of the week. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 1216 PM EST Tue Nov 18 2025 Ongoing VFR conditions will deteriorate to MVFR to IFR over the next few hours. For MKG, GRR, and LAN, slightly cooler temperatures may support a MVFR rain/snow mix in addition to ceilings falling to MVFR. For AZO, BTL, and JXN precipitation should be mainly rain. However, upstream observations suggest a period of IFR ceilings are likely this afternoon/evening. Conditions will improve slowly this evening into the overnight hours, as drier air moves in, with all terminals reaching VFR by early Wednesday morning. && .GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MI...None. MARINE...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...Ceru/RAH AVIATION...Thomas