437
FXUS63 KGRR 271800
AFDGRR
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
200 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Thunderstorm Potential this Afternoon/Evening
- Quiet Weather the rest of the Week
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 217 AM EDT Wed May 27 2026
- Thunderstorm Potential this Afternoon/Evening
Hi res models are picking up on the potential for convection
along the southward moving cold front this afternoon and evening.
The potential has been indicated for a few days by model soundings
showing 500 to 1000 J/kg of CAPE across the southeast forecast
area. Limiting factor appears to be a lack of deep moisture as
seen in forecast soundings, but this also indicates a strong
downdraft potential with a pronounced dry wedge beneath the LCL.
For POPs this afternoon, the Hires ARW forecast POPs were
smoothed out and the timing, which is a bit later than the NBM,
was followed. Expect the showers and storms to be weakening with
the loss of insolation as they depart the SE zones by around 10
pm. Isolated severe winds and hail are possible with any sustained
updrafts.
- Quiet Weather the rest of the Week
High pressure building in on Thursday with generally dry northwest
flow regime into the weekend as the Omega block across North
America finds the Great Lakes in between the upper high over
central Canada and a trough across eastern Canada into the NE
CONUS. Another cold front moves through from the north on Saturday
but limited moisture suggests chance for any rain will be less
than 20 percent with that fropa.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 154 PM EDT Wed May 27 2026
VFR conditions will prevail through the forecast period. There is
one caveat and that remains the chance or isolated MVFR and even
a low chance of brief IFR in thunderstorms this afternoon into
the early evening. Strong gusty surface winds greater than 30
knots and hail are possible with these storms but coverage should
be limited and most likely between LAN and JXN around 22Z to 03Z.
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 217 AM EDT Wed May 27 2026
Still looks like a SCA will be needed Wednesday night into
Thursday evening with a tight surface pressure gradient as a high
builds in producing north winds to 25 knots.
&&
.GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MI...Beach Hazards Statement from 8 PM EDT this evening through
Thursday evening for MIZ037-043-050-056-064-071.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from 8 PM this evening to 8 PM EDT Thursday
for LMZ844>849.
&&
$$
DISCUSSION...04
AVIATION...Ceru
MARINE...04
NWS GRR Office Area Forecast Discussion