


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Grand Rapids, MI
Issued by NWS Grand Rapids, MI
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686 FXUS63 KGRR 111913 AFDGRR Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI 313 PM EDT Fri Jul 11 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Chance of strong/severe storms tonight/Saturday - More storms possible middle of next week && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 312 PM EDT Fri Jul 11 2025 - Chance of strong/severe storms tonight/Saturday Radar shows a few light rain showers moving across the cwa. Mesoanalysis indicated a lot of juice remains in place. SBCAPE around 2500 j/kg south of I-96, but only 20 kts of shear. Additionally, a weak frontal boundary was draped over far southern Lower, but creeping northward. In many respects, this is the quintessential Michigan summer environment. We`re sitting on abundant moisture and instability and just looking for a catalyst for storm initiation. We may have to wait until later tonight for that to occur. While it`s possible that a storm or two could develop this afternoon along the frontal boundary or even in the presence of outflow boundaries from this morning`s convection...CAMs point toward storms rolling eastward from Iowa/Illinois later this evening 3z-6z ahead of an upper short wave that would interact with the weak boundary drifting northward through the cwa. This would mostly affect the northern/northwest half of the cwa. Despite instability waning this evening, the low level jet will be increasing which will increase shear to 30-35kts. Thus, it`s possible that a few storms tonight could be strong, perhaps severe. Heavy rainfall remains a threat too due to precipitable water values aoa 2 inches. A severe threat remains for Saturday too. SBCAPE is progd to be aoa 2500 j/kg along with 30 kts of shear. Additionally, a cold front over Wisconsin will be pushed east by a stronger upper trough. However, if convection develops, it will likely be along a prefrontal trough after 17z across the southeast cwa. If that occurs, severe storms are quite possible with torrential rain and strong winds; the eastern cwa remains in a Slight Risk for severe storms. Once the cold front pushes east Saturday night, we`ll see a few days of dry weather. - More storms possible middle of next week Once the high that builds over the Great Lakes Sunday moves east Tuesday, a weak trough/warm front will move north across the cwa Wednesday, ahead of low pressure in the Plains. We see a 40-60 percent chance of showers/storms with that boundary Wednesday/Wednesday night. It`s early yet to determine if a severe threat will develop with that boundary, but it`s possible. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 150 PM EDT Fri Jul 11 2025 Going more pessimistic on ceilings this afternoon as there is a lot of moisture in the lower atmosphere and many areas of scattered to broken MVFR cloud bases that may not fully mix away. Scattered shower development also can`t be ruled out through this evening. The chance of an isolated thunderstorm prior to 02 Z is below 30 percent but not zero. Thunderstorms crossing Lake Michigan may head toward MKG and possibly GRR between 03 and 07 Z per the 12z HREF. && .MARINE... Issued at 312 PM EDT Fri Jul 11 2025 Generally expecting 1 to 3 ft waves during the weekend, though Saturday could sneak into 2 to 4 ft and moderate swim risk from Grand Haven and north with southwest 10-20 knot winds. Thunderstorms this afternoon in Wisconsin/Illinois will cross Lake Michigan late this evening but will gradually weaken. However, they could bring wind shifts and gusts over 30 knots. && .GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MI...None. MARINE...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...04 AVIATION...CAS MARINE...CAS