Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Gaylord, MI

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863 FXUS63 KAPX 021055 AFDAPX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Gaylord MI 655 AM EDT Thu May 2 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Another round of showers/few thunderstorms tonight and Friday. - Smaller chances for precip this weekend. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/... Synopsis/pattern: Surface high pressure extends from western Lk Superior to southern lower MI. This high slides off to the east late today and tonight, allowing low pressure in s central Canada to push another cold/occluded front toward the area. Forecast: After a (mostly) quiet day today, another round of showers/storms is expected tonight. Low clouds and fog are common from the Straits area northward. DZ has been reported at both CIU and Soo Canada early this morning, and will add that to the grids thru mid-morning. Mid and high clouds ahead of our next system will push back into nw lower MI by late morning, and expand east thru the afternoon. Generally on the cloudy side in the north, while the se third of the forecast will see the most sun. But, with a developing se surface breeze, they will be kept cool by an onshore breeze from Lk Huron and Saginaw Bay. A warm front lifts into southern WI and far sw lower MI this afternoon. MlCape values of up to 500j/kg will be seen, upstream of our area. Convection could be kicked off upstream, and start to make inroads into western sections late today. A small chance for showers late this afternoon/early this evening, west of I-75 in both peninsulas. Perhaps nw lower MI sees a rumble of thunder. Max temps from the mid 50s (near Lk Huron) to upper 60s/near 70f (MBL-TVC-CAD). 500mb ridging shifts east to the eastern lakes, with height falls and a speed max entering northern WI/upper MI/Superior. Increasing low-level southerly flow/moist advection ahead of the occluded front will contribute to precip developing tonight. MuCape values of 500-750j/kg may scrape by southern portions of the forecast area. Likely to categorical showers and a few t-storms are forecast to expand w to e, with parts of ne lower MI remaining in just chancy pops thru the night. Best shear remains upstream tonight (behind the occluded front), and progged shear/instability does not appear to conducive to svr storms. Small hail may be a possibility with any stronger t-storms. Min temps low 40s near Lk Huron to low 50s nw lower MI. && .LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/... PATTERN SYNOPSIS/FORECAST: An area of low pressure located northwest of the Great Lakes Region, will influence sensible weather for most of the long term. As the low pressure and associated trough swing north of the region, a myriad of boundaries will be brought near and through northern Michigan late this week. By the beginning of next week, height rises will lead to quieter weather before another low pressure works its way into the region by mid-week. PRIMARY FORECAST CONCERNS: Chances of precipitation and possible thunderstorms this weekend: A weak frontal passage will bring a round of showers and possible thunderstorms for Friday. A general tenth of an inch of rain can be expected for most areas, but it cannot be ruled out that some may receive more if convective thunderstorms develop overhead. More energy moves over the region for Saturday into Sunday, bringing another quick shot of light precipitation to the area with embedded thunderstorms possible. As heights rise going into the new week, quiet and warmer weather look to take hold for the first half of the work week. However, by mid-week, guidance is hinting at active weather returning to the region, so be sure to check back with the forecast as we continue to fine tune these details! && .AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY/...
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Low clouds impacting northern parts of the area (CIU/PLN/APN) this morning, with MVFR to IFR conditions. Cigs will gradually improve thru mid-late morning, and all sites should be VFR by early afternoon (CIU taking the longest). Then VFR into early tonight. Cigs will lower, and showers will develop from w to e later tonight. MVFR conditions possible again, especially toward Fri morning. Initially light winds become pick up a bit today out of the east, then become se and s thru tonight.
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&& .APX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MI...None. MARINE...None. && $$ SHORT TERM...JZ LONG TERM...NSC AVIATION...JZ