842
FXUS63 KGRR 261138
AFDGRR
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
638 AM EST Mon Jan 26 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Lake Effect Today
- Round of Accumulating Snow Tonight into Tuesday
- Cold Weather Continues
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 315 AM EST Mon Jan 26 2026
- Lake Effect Today
Highest snow accumulations are expected along the lakeshore today,
specifically in western Ottawa, Allegan, and Van Buren counties.
The band of lake effect snow over Lake Michigan is currently
moving into Van Buren County and will continue to shift east into
Allegan and Ottawa and winds shift more to the west. Steep lapse
rates and moisture in the dendritic growth zone should provide
some decent rates with the signal for rates of an inch per hour
maybe at times up to 2 inches per hour this morning before lake
effect snow winds down this afternoon. Hazardous travel conditions
are expected with the lake effect snow band with quick
accumulations and low visibilities. Use caution if traveling along
the lakeshore within the advisory as conditions can quickly
change. Snowfall amounts will largely range from 1-4 inches within
the advisory but the highest amounts of 5-7 inches are more likely
within Van Buren and southwest potions of Allegan County.
With the westerly winds moving in this snow will shift
inland through the afternoon, but amounts less than an inch are
expected.
- Round of Accumulating Snow Tonight into Tuesday
A quick moving shortwave trough will move through the area late
tonight into Tuesday morning bringing with it widespread
accumulations of 2 to 4 inches along and west of US-131 with lower
amounts further east. This matches up well with the 25th to 75th
percentile with the potential for 4 or more inches along the
lakeshore around 30 to 50 percent. Another advisory may be needed
especially with wind gusts 25 to 35 mph helping to drive blowing
and drifting snow along with reduced visibilities. Also cold
temperatures will limit the effectiveness of salt, any slow will
create slick conditions.
- Cold Weather Continues
Wind chills down to -20 are still expected tonight into Tuesday
morning within the Cold Weather Advisory due to lows in the single
digits and winds gusting 25 to 35 mph.
Highs in the teens with lows in the single digits above and below
zero are expected through the week with another potential for Cold
Weather headlines for Thursday night into Friday as the NBM
highlights apparent temperatures in the -15 to -20 range across
much of the area.
&&
.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 638 AM EST Mon Jan 26 2026
Lake effect snow is moving into western Michigan and will largely
impact MKG and AZO today with IFR to MVFR conditions. Further east
snow is expected to be lighter but could still see some reductions
in visibility and will see MVFR ceilings move in. Tonight more
widespread snow moves in from the northwest bringing 2 to 4
inches largely along and west of a RQB to GRR to AZO line with
isolated higher amounts possible along the lakeshore for LDM, MKG,
and BIV. Amounts under 2 inches are expected further east.
Southwest winds will pick up with gusts 25 to 35 knots with the
highest gusts along the lakeshore. With theses winds blowing and
drifting snow is likely. MVFR conditions are expected with about a
20 percent chance of IFR conditions.
&&
.GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MI...Winter Weather Advisory until 7 PM EST this evening for MIZ056-
064-071.
Cold Weather Advisory from 7 PM this evening to 9 AM EST Tuesday
for MIZ058-059-064>067-071>074.
MARINE...None.
&&
$$
DISCUSSION...RAH
AVIATION...RAH
NWS GRR Office Area Forecast Discussion
