Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Grand Rapids, MI

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481 FXUS63 KGRR 011632 AFDGRR Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI 1232 PM EDT Sat Jun 1 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Rain and slight chance thunderstorm this afternoon-tonight - Lingering humidity and cloud patches on Sunday - Medium/High Confidence in evolution of upper troughing next week && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 319 AM EDT Sat Jun 1 2024 - Rain and slight chance thunderstorm this afternoon-tonight Midlevel trough and surface low over Missouri will move into Illinois today. Ahead of it, dry air will be in place through early afternoon in Michigan with dew points at or below 50. High and mid altitude clouds will thicken as precipitation nudges closer, eventually moistening the low levels and cooling off temperatures once rain reaches the surface this afternoon-evening. HREF and global model ensembles have come into much better alignment compared to 24 hours ago regarding rain chances, and now the scenario for little to no rain seems to be remote, at least for areas south of US-10. The arrival of rain is likely in West Michigan during mid-late afternoon (3-5 pm or so) and near US-127 during the evening (8-9 pm). Rain should move out late in the night or early in the morning. Forecast soundings during the middle of the event show moisture and lift through much of the troposphere. Lapse rates in the low-mid levels that are neutrally buoyant and possibly slightly unstable for moist parcels may also support a period of more efficient rainfall production in some spots. The chance of lightning is slight but not zero. Broadly, 0.25 to 0.75 inch rain totals are most favored but there could be embedded spots or small swaths of 1 to 1.5 inch totals, per ensemble guidance. - Lingering humidity and cloud patches on Sunday Moisture in the low levels will linger on Sunday as the trough departs, and there may be drizzle early in the day. Temperatures should warm back up to seasonable levels but dew points near 60 will make it feel a little more sticky. The HRRR is less enthusiastic about ridging and warming in the midlevels, so it does touch off some afternoon showers south/east of Grand Rapids. Will go with a 10 percent chance of measurable rainfall. - Medium/High Confidence in evolution of upper troughing next week Ensemble spread is lower than usual and good run to run consistency is indicating higher confidence in the details for sensible weather next week. There continues to be a signal for rain Monday and Tuesday as a shortwave trough approaches and minors out...then a stronger signal on Wednesday as a well-defined shortwave cuts off as it approaches from the Northern Plains. This low figures in the evolution of persistent troughing across the Great Lakes by the end of the week with lower 500 mb heights and low level northwest flow indicating cooler than normal temperatures into next weekend. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/...
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Issued at 1232 PM EDT Sat Jun 1 2024 VFR conditions will continue at all the terminals this afternoon. Rain showers will develop late this afternoon and then continue through most of the overnight period. An isolated storm is possible late this afternoon and evening but there is not enough potential for thunderstorms to warrant inclusion in any of the terminal forecasts at this time. Conditions will slowly deteriorate to MVFR then IFR overnight due to lowering cigs. Showers will gradually taper off during the early to mid morning hours Sunday with mainly IFR conditions Sunday morning which will slowly improve to MVFR by late morning.
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&& .MARINE... Issued at 319 AM EDT Sat Jun 1 2024 Fairly light winds and 1-2 foot waves continue through the weekend. Patches of fog may develop over the lake Saturday night into Sunday morning, in the wake of the rain that will arrive this afternoon. A moderate swim risk is possible near/north of Whitehall on Monday due to waves building amid a south breeze. && .GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MI...None. MARINE...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...Ostuno/CAS AVIATION...Laurens MARINE...CAS