789 FXUS63 KGRR 210803 AFDGRRArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI 403 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 /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z MONDAY/... Issued at 217 AM EDT Sun Sep 21 2025
Showers and a few embedded thunderstorms continue as of 06z across Southwest Lower Michigan. We expect these showers and storms to gradually fade through the remainder of the night as instability continues to erode. For the most part we expect VFR weather through daybreak, but we cannot rule out a pocket of MVFR conditions associated with the precipitation.
During the daylight hours of Sunday, instability will build once again with showers developing between 15z and 19z. After 19z, we expect showers and storms to become numerous in the heat of the day. Outside of the showers and storms, VFR weather will prevail. East winds of 5-15 knots early this morning will veer to the southeast and south-southwest through the course of the day.
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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