129
FXUS63 KGRR 191928
AFDGRR
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
328 PM EDT Sat Sep 19 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Heavy Rain Potential Continues Tonight into Sunday morning
- Largely Dry for the Upcoming Work Week
- Near to Slightly Below Normal Temperatures Next 7 Day
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 328 PM EDT Sat Sep 19 2026
- Heavy Rain Potential Continues Tonight into Sunday morning
We will be maintaining the Flood Watch as is with this forecast
update. As expected, the heaviest rain that has already fallen
has occurred across the 5 counties that are in the watch. Ground
truth reports show that the heaviest rain has been across Allegan
County with a number of reports in the 2-3 inch range. Additional
rain is expected tonight, so the Watch continues. Given the
saturated ground additional rainfall will go directly into
runoff.
The setup largely remains the same with a diffuse surface boundary
to our south and waves of low pressure working eastward towards
the Great Lakes. PWAT values are up around 2.00 inches which are
high even for mid summer. High resolution models show the low
level jet aimed at our far southern CWA towards I-94. This should
be the focus area for heavy rain tonight based on the moisture
transport vectors centered in that area as well. So, the Flood
Watch area stands the best chance to see flooding/heavy rain.
the first wave of precipitation will work in form the west after
500pm with more substantial rain after dark and especially
overnight. The rain moves southward on Sunday as high pressure
begins to slide in from the north.
- Largely Dry for the Upcoming Work Week
We will largely be dry this upcoming week as high pressure will be
situated across the Great Lakes region. Aloft however there is an
upper low meandering through the region, so it not inconceivable
that we see some scattered showers that will be diurnally driven
in the afternoon and evening. Deep moisture is not present though
given the surface high.
- Near to Slightly Below Normal Temperatures Next 7 Day
It will feel like fall this week with most days seeing high
temperatures in the 60s. Normal highs for today in Grand Rapids
today are in the lower 70s which cool to the upper 60s by next
weekend.
&&
.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/...
Issued at 136 PM EDT Sat Sep 19 2026
Low clouds and occasional drizzle to continue for the next 4-6
hours before more widespread precipitation begins to move in. IFR
and LIFR conditions will be common through the taf period. Some
thunder possible...especially KAZO/KBTL/KLAN/KJXN with KGRR and
KMKG less likely to see sustained thunderstorms. Some improvement
in conditions possible very late in the TAF period...but not
confident enough now to introduce it except for KMKG.
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 328 PM EDT Sat Sep 19 2026
The general surface pattern of high pressure located to our north
over Canada/northern Great Lakes and weak low pressure off to our
south will remain in place the rest of the weekend and into early
next week. This will bring about easterly/off shore winds. For the
most part, waves are generally expected to be 2 feet or less.
There is an indication however that waves may push into the 3 to
5 foot range Sunday into Monday, especially from Whitehall north
up the shoreline. At this point, holding off on any headlines.
&&
.GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MI...Flood Watch through Sunday morning for MIZ064-065-071>073.
MARINE...None.
&&
$$
DISCUSSION...Duke
AVIATION...Maczko
MARINE...Duke
NWS GRR Office Area Forecast Discussion