


Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Grand Rapids, MI
Issued by NWS Grand Rapids, MI
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034 FXUS63 KGRR 130553 AFDGRR Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI 153 AM EDT Mon Oct 13 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Areas of fog forming again tonight - Warmer and drier than normal through late this week - More active weather pattern arrives for next weekend and beyond && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 300 PM EDT Sun Oct 12 2025 - Areas of fog forming again tonight Overnight radiational cooling led to extensive fog formation overnight that lingered late into the morning hours today. The same basic weather pattern of high pressure/subsidence and generally light winds remains in place for tonight. Thus, persistence alone would suggest we`ll probably see some more fog forming. One difference may be some midlevel clouds impinging on our lakeshore areas after midnight, which may lessen fog formation. More info is available in the aviation section of this discussion below. - Warmer and drier than normal through late this week Overall, yet another warmer than normal and mostly dry week is on track for West Michigan. Average highs this time of year are in the low 60s - which means our temperatures near 70 for much of the week will be about 5 to 10 degrees above average. This relatively tranquil weather is thanks to persistent high pressure that keeps regenerating to our west, putting us in the sinking air (subsidence) portion of the overall weather pattern. As this ridge of high pressure amplifies again early in the week, there is a hint in the models of a shortwave clipping us in northwest flow, which could produce some showers on Tuesday night. However, with dry air entrenched at the low levels and fairly weak forcing, this could easily end up being nothing more than some sprinkles. Regardless, ridging strengthens again with more sunshine and slightly cooler (but still above-average) temperatures for the 2nd half of the week. Overnight temperatures will probably drop down toward the freezing mark Wednesday night, so another widespread frost is very possible under clear skies. - More active weather pattern arrives for next weekend and beyond Confidence continues to grow that the general weather pattern changes starting Friday night into next weekend and beyond. This new pattern will feature a much higher zonal index of the upper level flow, allowing numerous shortwaves and lows to pass through the Great Lakes bringing periodic rain chances. We currently don`t see any specifically heavy rain events on the horizon, but definitely a more typical fall-like pattern in terms of both temperatures and rain chances as we head into the 2nd half of October. && .AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z TUESDAY/... Issued at 153 AM EDT Mon Oct 13 2025 LIFR to IFR stratus is developing from JXN to AZO to GRR and is expected to expand into the morning impacting most of the area. LAN may stay just east of the stratus, but with the close proximity added a tempo group for ceilings below 1000 feet right around sunrise along with lower visibilities. While most areas may see visibilities in the 1-3 SM range, do expect areas around 1/2 SM to develop with the best chances toward JXN. Fog should clear and the stratus scatter out around 14-15Z this morning. Winds will be light and variable throughout the day. Winds will initially be from the southeast this morning and then veer to the north tonight as the front moves through. Some diurnal cumulus is possible around 3000 to 4000 feet this afternoon with additional clouds around 15000 feet streaming in from the west. && .MARINE... Issued at 300 PM EDT Sun Oct 12 2025 Southeast winds of 10-20 knots are expected through the day, with offshore flow keeping waves below small craft levels today. Winds slowly veer to northerly by Monday Night as a system moves into the region. Increasing northerly flow to around 20 knots Tuesday into Tuesday Night may be sufficient to bring Small Craft Advisory level waves into our waters, particularly south of Holland. A second system will bring another chance for hazardous winds and waves to Lake Michigan, along with rain, Friday into the weekend. && .GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MI...None. MARINE...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...AMD AVIATION...RAH MARINE...Thomas