120 FXUS63 KGRR 211148 AFDGRRArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI 748 AM EDT Sun Sep 21 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Thunderstorms expected today through Tuesday
- Precipitation trends for the upcoming work week
- Near normal temperatures the next week
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.DISCUSSION... Issued at 403 AM EDT Sun Sep 21 2025
- Thunderstorms expected today through Tuesday
Yesterday evening was a bit active with both SPS`s and SVR`s issued across Southwest Lower Michigan. This occurred as a low level jet surge occurred across the area. A somewhat similar situation occurs today as a weak 20-25 knot LLJ increases this afternoon as seen in the HRRR, ARW and RAP. The HREF indicates a diurnal flare occurring after 19z today. The expectation is for numerous showers and thunderstorms to develop after that time and gradually fill in and move east through the late afternoon and evening (20z to 03z). There are embedded weak shortwaves is southwest upper flow, but the stronger shortwave arrives overnight well after peak heating. It looks like today`s convection will be more thermodynamically driven as well as a subtle/weak warm frontal feature nosing in from the southwest this afternoon. SPC has us in a marginal risk for severe weather and cannot argue given how yesterday evening went down. Again, some marginally severe hail and wind would be the main threats. MUCAPE values increase to 1,000 to 2,000 j/kg largely due to the increase in low level moisture.
There will be some carryover of activity into the overnight as well as a stronger shortwave moves our direction from the west tonight.
- Precipitation trends for the upcoming work week
The week looks to remain unsettled weather wise as an upper trof digs into the Great Lakes from the northwest. By Thursday, the ECWMF has an upper low situated overhead. Showery weather that will be diurnal in nature (highest activity in the afternoon and evenings) can be expected. There will be enough residual moisture around Monday and Tuesday where both showers and thunderstorms are possible. There is model disparity between the operational GFS and ECWMF late in the work week with the placement of a surface low. The ECWMF has the low much further north into our area, while the GFS is further south into the Ohio Valley. Leaning towards the ECWMF as this point.
- Near normal temperatures the next week
Normal temperatures over the next 7 days trend from highs in the lower 70s today to the upper 60s by next weekend. High temperatures the next 7 days will generally by in the 70s, so we are close to normals. Highs in the 80s can still occur this fall, but they are not likely this week.
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.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z MONDAY/... Issued at 747 AM EDT Sun Sep 21 2025
Generally southerly winds are expected today behind a departing high that has moved to the east coast and low pressure in the plains. Winds will veer from southeast this morning to southwest this afternoon and a weak warm front lifts into the area. The southwest flow aloft is bringing light rain showers to the area this morning. This afternoon we expect an increase in areal coverage and intensity with scattered thunderstorms occurring across much of the area likely impacting all TAF sites. The most likely time frame for storms will be from roughly 20z this afternoon to around 03z this evening. Cloud bases today will stay VFR for the bulk of the time. A more widespread MVFR cloud base will develop overnight and likely be impacting all TAF sites by 12z on Monday.
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.MARINE... Issued at 403 AM EDT Sun Sep 21 2025
No headlines are in effect early this Sunday morning and none are anticipated over the next few days. This is the time of year when Lake Michigan can become quite active, but that is not the case over the next few days. The gradient does increase into Wednesday when we will have surface high pressure off to the north and a low to our south. This will set the stage for an increasing northeast wind, but given the off shore nature of that flow not expecting big impacts. Bottom line, the next few days will be relatively calm on the big lake.
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.GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MI...None. MARINE...None.
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DISCUSSION...Duke AVIATION...Duke MARINE...Duke
NWS GRR Office Area Forecast Discussion