Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Grand Rapids, MI

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426 FXUS63 KGRR 271142 AFDGRR Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI 742 AM EDT Mon May 27 2024 .KEY MESSAGES...
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- Shower chances and cool air linger into midweek - Dry Thursday and Friday - Low risk for showers returns next weekend; warmer
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&& .DISCUSSION...
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Issued at 335 AM EDT Mon May 27 2024 - Shower chances and cool air linger into midweek Though the upper level low will open up with predominately zonal flow the mid to low levels will be positively tilted allowing for a strong gradient across Lake Michigan. That gradient will cause downsloping flow which coupled with cold air advection will bring gusty winds through the day. Expect gusty winds of 20 to 30 mph today. Latest CAMS soundings show further evidence of moist low to mid levels. That should correlate to mostly cloudy skies through the daytime. While some breaks in the clouds aren`t out of the question, this Memorial day should be cloudy and windy. While the best moisture is through northern lower peninsula there is enough PWATs that coupled with NW flow across the lake to allow for light showers and perhaps some storms this afternoon into early evening, especially through far southwest Michigan near the lakeshore. Models continue to show a shortwave diving southeast through the base of the longwave trough overhead Tuesday into Tuesday night. This brings more showers across the area then departs early Wednesday. However lingering sfc troughiness and cold air aloft could result in a few widely scattered diurnally driven showers redeveloping Wednesday afternoon and evening, especially over srn sections. - Dry Thursday and Friday Then a couple sunny/pleasant days are in store for Thursday and Friday as the center of a cool/dry Canadian sfc high passes overhead. Wednesday night and Thursday night will be fairly chilly nights and can`t even rule out some patchy frost across far nrn sections. - Low risk for rain returns next weekend; warmer Fcst confidence currently low regarding rain chances next weekend as model solutions diverge. The ECMWF is more progressive and is sending showers/storms back into the picture by Saturday whereas the GFS is holding on to ridging aloft and keeping things dry through late Sunday. At this point will have low end 20-30 pct pops next weekend with temps returning to slightly above normal values.
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&& .AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY/...
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Issued at 742 AM EDT Mon May 27 2024 Widespread IFR cigs and scattered showers/drizzle expected today, with areas of LIFR this morning. West winds will increase through the morning and gusts up to 30 kts are possible this afternoon. Cigs trending mostly MVFR this evening although some IFR still can`t be ruled out tonight as scattered showers continue. Winds will slacken off below 10 kts by Midnight.
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&& .MARINE...
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Issued at 345 AM EDT Mon May 27 2024 No changes as far as the Small Craft Advisory and Beach Hazards for Memorial Day. High confidence exists for winds to increase to 20 knots or higher and waves to reach 4 feet for much of the area. Areas north of Whitehall should have a delay in the onset of hazardous conditions as the surface low will be in that region this morning. However by noon conditions will deteriorate across all zones.
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&& .GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
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MI...Beach Hazards Statement through this evening for MIZ037-043-050- 056-064-071. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for LMZ844>849.
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&& $$ DISCUSSION...Ceru/Meade AVIATION...Meade MARINE...Ceru