638 FXUS63 KGRB 192343 AFDGRBArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Green Bay WI 643 PM CDT Fri Sep 19 2025
Updated aviation portion for 00Z TAF issuance
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon through the weekend. Isolated strong storms with gusty winds and small hail will be possible during this time.
- Heavy rain and localized flooding will be possible with any shower or storm activity this weekend. The greatest chances for heavier rain will be over central Wisconsin on Saturday.
- Breezy southeast winds will result in hazardous marine and beach conditions south of Sturgeon Bay late tonight through early Saturday afternoon.
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.DISCUSSION... Issued at 249 PM CDT Fri Sep 19 2025
Short Term...Tonight and Saturday
This afternoon... GOES water vapor imagery shows driving upper- level trough currently residing over the northern Plains. Low- level moisture transport continues to flow out ahead of a quasi- stationary boundary to the southwest as instability builds across our southern tiers of counties. As a result, additional storm activity is expected to start popping up in central Wisconsin within the next hour or two. Showers over portions of central to north-central Wisconsin have a history of producing heavy rain as of early this afternoon.
Forecast through Saturday remains low predictability as CAMs struggle to get a hold on the convoluted synoptic pattern. Looking at the big picture, the 500 mb wave train ramps up heading into the weekend, and is forecast to interact with plentiful moisture aloft. Result will be several rounds of rain/storms across northeast Wisconsin through Saturday evening. However, given the complex nature of the current pattern paired with poor CAM performance, would feel low confidence in adding any finer details to the forecast.
Rain/storm chances... Scattered showers and storms remain possible through the remainder of the afternoon into this evening as instability continues to nose into central Wisconsin. Main concern will be pockets of heavy rainfall as low pressure over northeast South Dakota ushers in a conveyor belt of PWATs approaching 200% of normal. Heavy rain/flooding threat would be further evidenced by light winds below around 700 mb, which would be conducive to training/slow-moving cells. Showers and storms then spread north and east overnight into Saturday morning as more robust shortwave energy pivots over the upper Mississippi Valley. Some CAMs suggest that there could be a brief lull in activity later Saturday morning before more diurnally-driven storms pop along the instability gradient (~1,000 to 1,200 J/kg MUCAPE) early Saturday afternoon. Heavy rain and localized flooding would once again be the main concern with these storms, though any stronger cells could produce gusty winds and small hail. This being said, deep layer shear below 20 knots should prevent any organization of stronger storms. Greatest risk for heavy rainfall remains over central Wisconsin.
Marine hazards... Increasing southeast winds and waves building 3 to 5 ft will result in conditions hazardous to small craft along Lake Michigan nearshore waters on Saturday. As such, there will also be increased potential for rip currents along Lake Michigan beaches in Kewaunee and Manitowoc counties. Marine and Beach Hazards headlines have been issued, and small craft are encouraged to exercise caution on the Bay late this afternoon into early Saturday morning.
Long Term...Saturday Night Through Friday
Unsettled weather continues Saturday night into early next week as a slow moving upper trough moves across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes. This will keep periodic rain chances (30-70%) in the forecast as shortwaves rotate through the upper trough. Rain chances will decrease Saturday night as one of the shortwaves exits, with another one forecast to arrive Sunday afternoon/evening, with the showers once again becoming more widespread. A couple more shortwaves, along with a weak frontal boundary, are forecast to move across the area Sunday night into Monday, continuing the chances for rain. Thunder chances will be limited due to cloud cover and marginal instability and deep layer shear. But with up to ~1000 J/kg of MUCAPE, isolated storms are expected at times. A couple could be on the stronger side, but the risk for severe weather is low. The showers and storms will also bring an isolated flooding threat into early next week. PWATs will be running between 1.0-1.30" (125-175% of normal), so any training cells could pose a flood risk, especially for any areas that receive the heavier rainfall today and Saturday. But with the longer range ensemble guidance still showing under 20% chances of 1"+ in any one 24-hour period, along with breaks in the heavier bouts of precip, the overall flood threat will be low.
The lingering trough could keep some lighter showers in the area on Tuesday, especially south, then a drier and less unsettled stretch of weather is expected during the middle of next week as an upper low becomes cut-off just south of the Great Lakes. Some disagreement how long it will be far enough to our south to keep the area dry, but should get at least a day or two of dry conditions. Then, as the low drifts north/east, chances for showers and a few storms returns to the region late in the week and into next weekend. Temps through the period look to be near or a little above average.
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.AVIATION...for 00Z TAF Issuance Issued at 642 PM CDT Fri Sep 19 2025
Main aviation concern will be the ongoing active weather in the region as showers and storms cross the region this evening, tonight, and again on Saturday.
This evening and for the first half of the night, active appears limited to central Wisconsin, bringing MVFR to IFR ceilings and a few rumbles of thunder to AUW and CWA. For the Fox Valley, went dry during this period, but kept a PROB30 for after midnight as some models do suggest some showers for Saturday morning. The added moisture will likely develop a low cloud deck for most locations by Saturday morning, so kept IFR conditions in place for the time being.
Rain will not be constant, with intermittent breaks at any one location, especially on Saturday. Predictability for a longer dry break is still uncertain, but would expect it to be a window in the late morning to early/mid afternoon from west to east before widespread active weather resumes Saturday evening. Thunder will could return towards the end of the TAF period as well.
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.GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Beach Hazards Statement from 1 AM CDT Saturday through Saturday afternoon for WIZ040-050. &&
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DISCUSSION.....Goodin/Bersch AVIATION.......Uhlmann
NWS GRB Office Area Forecast Discussion