042 FXUS63 KGRR 221900 AFDGRRArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI 300 PM EDT Mon Sep 22 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Scattered Showers/Storms Much of This Week
- Dry Weather Likely for the Weekend
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.DISCUSSION... Issued at 300 PM EDT Mon Sep 22 2025
- Scattered Showers/Storms Much of This Week
An upper trough located across WI into the U.P. this afternoon will slowly move east into tomorrow before slowing down and closing off as an upper low directly overhead the region Wednesday into Thursday. What this will lead to is pretty extensive cloud cover for a few days but also scattered, mainly diurnally driven showers and thunderstorms across the Lower Peninsula.
For tonight, a weak LLJ initially oriented SW to NE will start angling more eastward and then southeastward across the region, perhaps touching off scattered showers/storms overnight near and east of where today`s convective activity developed (which was over Lake Michigan into west central Lower MI). This scenario is favored by most CAMs. Currently the most likely region to receive some rain tonight is near and north of I-96, though given timing and location differences by the CAMs most probabilities are 30-50%.
Tuesday doesn`t look much different than today in terms of morning low cloud cover and scattered diurnal showers and a few storms developing. Widespread rain is not expected. For Wednesday, given the upper low placement overhead we`ll see 850 mb winds converge across the eastern half of the region as PWAT values likely reach their peak for this event, getting close to 1.50" which is about 175% of normal for late September. What this equates to is whatever showers and thunderstorms do develop, they could be heavy rain producers with slow storm motions. Certainly wouldn`t be surprised to see areas especially near and east of US 131 pick up an additional inch or more of rain. The upper low takes its sweet time moving out on Thursday so we can`t drop rain chances until that exits the region.
- Dry Weather Likely for the Weekend
Good ensemble agreement exists on a dry weekend. Upper heights build into Friday, and upper troughing is expected to stay primarily north of the state on Saturday as heights resume building into Sunday. Looks like a fair amount of sunshine as well, along with light winds. Highs should reach the mid to upper 70s.
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.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/... Issued at 157 PM EDT Mon Sep 22 2025
Ceilings have recovered above IFR but a broken MVFR cloud deck is still prevalent across some of the terminals. Scattered showers and thunderstorms have been moving over Lake Michigan and a few pop up showers and isolated storms have been occurring over land. PROB30 groups are currently the best way to handle this threat into the afternoon and evening given the weak nature of the convection and overall coverage expected. Lowering visibilities are likely later tonight (especially after 06z) and additional showers with a few thunderstorms are possible as well, though location is difficult to determine at this point.
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.MARINE... Issued at 300 PM EDT Mon Sep 22 2025
Fairly tranquil conditions expected on the lake this week with light winds expected and as a result, little in the way of wave activity. The highest waves will likely occur on Thursday south of the Holland area with some 2 to 3 footers possible.
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.GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MI...None. MARINE...None.
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DISCUSSION...Hoving AVIATION...Hoving MARINE...Hoving
NWS GRR Office Area Forecast Discussion