textproduct: Gaylord

KEY MESSAGES

- Rain developing Thursday, Mixed rain/snow north.

- Much colder temperatures with light precipitation chances Friday and Saturday.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 155 PM EDT Tue Mar 24 2026

Heat dome over the desert southwest remains firmly established with an increasingly stronger and more active Pacific jet stream developing north of this feature. This stronger Pacific jet will bring several fast moving upper level systems across the northern tier of the country later this week, resulting in more active weather across the Great Lakes. Warmer air makes a push into the Great Lakes on Wednesday with return flow developing on the backside of a departing area of high pressure to our east. As the baroclinic zone tightens over the northern Great Lakes, combined with increasing amounts of Pacific moisture and favorable jet dynamics, light precipitation will develop over northern parts of the area. There will likely be enough cold air to result in some snow or a rain/snow mix over eastern upper, with just a few light rain showers/sprinkles possible south of the bridge. We will have to watch for patchy light freezing rain potential Wednesday night over parts of eastern upper as moisture continues to increase in advance of an approaching cold front, with lingering low level cold air. Rain develops on Thursday across northern Michigan with increasing PWATs, and favorable RRQ jet dynamics as a surface low pressure rides along an approaching cold front. Rainfall amounts less than 0.25". The precipitation may end as some light snow or a rain/snow mix, although any accumulations would be light.

A quick hitting shot of cold air and even some light lake effect snow possibilities to end the week as a transitory thermal trough swings through the Great Lakes. Below normal temperatures Friday and Saturday with a few light snow showers possible, especially over eastern upper. The pattern begins to modify by Sunday into early next week, as high pressure slips east and milder air to the west begins to push toward the western lakes.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 142 PM EDT Tue Mar 24 2026

Continued improvement to VFR conditions across all taf locations this afternoon into this evening. High and mid clouds increase later tonight into Wednesday morning. Will need to watch for some patchy MVFR to even IFR producing mist and fog early Wednesday morning, especially at KCIU and KPLN. Winds become light tonight, picking up out of the southeast on Wednesday.

APX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

MI...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 5 PM EDT this afternoon for LHZ345>349. Small Craft Advisory until 5 PM EDT this afternoon for LMZ323- 341-342-344>346. Small Craft Advisory until 5 PM EDT this afternoon for LSZ321- 322.