textproduct: Gaylord
This forecast discussion was created in the public domain by the National Weather Service. It can be found in its original form here.
KEY MESSAGES
- Showers likely and chance of thunderstorms this afternoon/evening. A few strong storms possible. - Quiet Wednesday-Thursday
- Unsettled again Thu night into this weekend
DISCUSSION
Issued at 314 AM EDT Tue Aug 18 2026
An upper low is gradually transiting Hudson Bay and northern Quebec this work week. This will tend to keep our heights somewhat suppressed, and temps will follow suit. A cold front passage tonight will contribute to our initial chances for rain. After a break, unsettled wx returns for the very end of the week.
Outside of more marine locales, surface dew points are in the 50s early this morning. Though these will rebound somewhat today, to near 60s/lower 60s, this will still tend to limit available instability before cold fropa. MlCape values rise to up to 750j/kg by late afternoon in the south half of the forecast area. Turning this into actual convection is not entirely certain; we will mix up into west 1km winds pre-fropa, and convergence along the front will be unimpressive.
Current shower activity in the western UP will expand eastward, and some showers could reach western Chip/Mack Cos before 12z. Chancy pops will continue to expand south/east thru very early afternoon. Pops will increase further moving thru the afternoon/evening as instability peaks. Activity rapidly weakens/exits eastward toward/after midnight. 0-6km bulk shear values are 30-40kt, so we perhaps have enough instability and shear for a strong storm or two, but severe storms are not likely. SPC has tucked a marginal day 1 severe risk into the MBL/CAD/Gladwin area (not a huge fan).
Much drier air invades behind this front, with dew points lowering into the 40s in some areas Wed night-Thu night. Dry wx expected Wed- Thu, with near seasonable highs but lows below normal.
More unsettled wx Thu night into Saturday. Expect energy to dig and eventually close off in the central/eastern lakes region this weekend. Initial chancy pops in the west and north Thu night, become likely across most of northern MI by Fri afternoon/evening. May have to watch out for stronger storms then as well. Likely turning cooler with and behind this system for Sunday-Monday.
AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z WEDNESDAY/
Issued at 1119 PM EDT Mon Aug 17 2026
VFR condtions will prevail with perhaps patchy BR/FG developing across some terminals later tonight into Tuesday morning. Scattered shower and thunderstorm chances increase through the day Tuesday, but thinking this will be very spotty and pop-up in nature like we had the other day. BR/ FG development looks more widespread late Tuesday into Wednesday morning as more moisture works into the region.
APX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
MI...None. MARINE...None.
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