Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Grand Rapids, MI

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015 FXUS63 KGRR 082357 AFDGRR Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI 757 PM EDT Sat Jun 8 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Showers Possible Through This Evening; Turning Breezy Sunday - Starting Cool then Warming Trend through Mid/Late Week - Precipitation Chances Next Week && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 300 PM EDT Sat Jun 8 2024 - Showers Possible Through This Evening; Turning Breezy Sunday Regional MRMS imagery this afternoon indicates a broken batch of showers moving from WI out over Lake Michigan and into central Lower MI. This is occurring as upper troughing remains entrenched across the region, courtesy of an upper low located north of Lake Superior. No lightning has occurred with this activity, and little to none is expected for our region given almost no atmospheric instability (SPC Mesoanalysis shows zero MUCAPE across Lower MI). Thus, we have opted to keep thunder mention out of the forecast through tonight. Given a fairly dry subcloud layer per 12z model soundings, expecting mainly light showers across the region. It will be difficult to accumulate much more than 0.10"-0.25" in any given area. Showers will come to an end in the 00z-06z time frame. For Sunday, low level winds (925mb-850mb) are shown to increase to 30 kts or greater by the afternoon. Very steep low level lapse rates approaching 10C/km from the surface up to nearly 3km will easily mix down wind gusts of around 30 mph. Would not be surprised to see some peak gusts reaching the 30-40 mph range. The HREF max gusts do show some values approaching 40 mph, though the mean gusts are closer to 30 mph. Sky cover should be partly to mostly sunny during the morning, though increasing cloud cover is expected near and north of I-96 during the afternoon as 850 mb RH is shown to increase in that area. - Starting Cool then Warming Trend through Mid/Late Week A cool start to next week following the passage of a cold front Sunday afternoon. 850mb thermal trough moves overhead with temps falling towards 4 to 6C Monday. Respondent surface temps in the upper 60s to 70 degree range are expected Monday afternoon. Temperatures gradually warm through the week as zonal flow ushers in warmer air from the west. Highs in the mid to upper 80s look likely by Thursday. - Precipitation Chances Next Week A few embedded shortwaves in the zonal flow will present chances for showers Tuesday evening and Thursday evening. Few light rain showers possible Tuesday night, then a better signal for showers and storms with the passage of cold front Thursday night. Overall evolution of this window of time will be largely dependent on how convection evolves over the Plains upstream, so uncertainty remains. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z MONDAY/...
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Issued at 757 PM EDT Sat Jun 8 2024 Batch of rain now south/east of Muskegon - Mount Pleasant has a mix of prevailing MVFR-VFR visibility and ceilings, with temporary dips to IFR in heavier rain. After the rain ends, a return to mainly VFR tonight as drier air moves in and clouds move away. However, some concern given the ground moisture, clearing skies, and lighter winds overnight will be potential for fog. After sunrise Sunday, VFR is likely, and winds become stronger and gustier into the afternoon, from the west-northwest with peak gusts 26-30 knots.
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&& .MARINE... Issued at 300 PM EDT Sat Jun 8 2024 As we head into Sunday afternoon, expect wind speeds to increase close to advisory criteria as winds shift northerly behind a front. Waves will likely peak in the 3 to 5 foot range Sunday evening through Monday. A SCA and BHS will likely be needed for at least a portion of our marine zones. && .GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MI...None. MARINE...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...Hoving/Thielke AVIATION...CAS MARINE...Hoving