087
FXUS63 KGRR 200713
AFDGRR
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
313 AM EDT Mon Apr 20 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Cool and dry today
- Warming trend midweek, chance of a thunderstorm Tuesday evening
and Friday
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 313 AM EDT Mon Apr 20 2026
- Cool and dry today
Lingering cold air mass underneath high pressure today will keep
temperatures about 10 degrees below normal. Dew points will stay
rather dry in the teens and 20s, and relative humidity should drop
toward about 30 percent.
- Warming trend midweek, chance of a thunderstorm Tuesday evening
and Friday
High pressure moving away and increasing southwesterly low-level
flow on Tuesday will bring a quick return of milder and less dry
air. There is a slight chance of a sprinkle Tuesday morning as
midlevel moisture precipitates into dry air, for now not
mentioning in the forecast. Then have a chance of showers and
slight chance thunderstorm near I-94 Tuesday evening.
Southwesterly flow with higher moisture around 800 mb may support
the development of elevated showers or thunderstorm cells while
cooler temperatures and modestly steep lapse rates are present
700-500 mb. Not all models develop convection near I-94, but some
including the HRRR and experimental MPAS core models do. If a
relatively robust cell develops late in the day while mixed lower
levels are present underneath, locally gusty winds would be
possible.
Ensembles continue to favor Thursday as the warmest day of the
week with highs well into the 70s. Instability should return to
some degree, and a weak cold front extending from a Northern
Plains occluded low should move through Michigan on Friday,
bringing a chance of showers and thunderstorms.
&&
.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 152 AM EDT Mon Apr 20 2026
VFR is expected today with light winds underneath a high pressure
system. Daytime cumulus development around 5,000 feet is unlikely
given the dry lower to middle troposphere. Clouds above 12,000
feet will increase late in the evening. About 25 knots of wind
shear between 2,000 feet and ground is possible by 06 Z Tuesday.
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 313 AM EDT Mon Apr 20 2026
Light winds and low waves this morning in the nearshore waters.
Increasing south winds particularly north of Whitehall late in the
day will tend to build waves. A small craft advisory will likely
be needed there starting after sunset today. Small craft advisory
conditions are likely along the whole shoreline Tuesday morning.
&&
.GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MI...Freeze Warning until 11 AM EDT this morning for MIZ050>052-
056>059-064>067-071>074.
MARINE...None.
&&
$$
DISCUSSION...CAS
AVIATION...CAS
MARINE...CAS
NWS GRR Office Area Forecast Discussion