textproduct: Grand Rapids

KEY MESSAGES

- Mainly dry with moderating temperatures through Monday

- Next chance of rain comes in late next Tuesday

DISCUSSION

Issued at 231 AM EDT Wed Sep 23 2026

- Mainly dry with moderating temperatures through Monday

Nothing much has changed regarding the upcoming extended dry and mild period expected for the area through early next week.

We do have one more weak wave rotating around the upper low to our south today that we have to contend with. The biggest impact with this will be a shroud of lower clouds that rotates through the southern portion of the area. Maybe a sprinkle comes out of it, but these clouds will not have much depth to them with a fairly strong subsidence inversion building in ahead of the incoming ridge. The dry low level flow from the NE will not help in allowing rain to reach the sfc.

We see the ridge then move in on Thursday as the upper low moves far enough away. This transition, especially the upper low moving offshore and amplifying, will help to slow the progression of features across the entire continent. We will see the ridge control our area from Thursday, right on through early Tuesday. A trough does try to approach Sunday. It will be sheared out as it encounters the strong ridge and dry weather.

Temperatures will slowly moderate through the period from the 60s today, to 70s over the weekend and early next week. This is supported as 850 mb temperatures increase from around +6C today, to +12 to 13C over the weekend and early next week.

- Next chance of rain comes in late next Tuesday

We will eventually see a stronger jet streak and long wave upper trough push east across the country early next week. Indications and mean timing has rain chances coming in later next Tuesday at this time. Would not be surprised to see this delayed a bit given the strong ridging and very dry air in place that will resist the trough a bit.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 624 AM EDT Wed Sep 23 2026

As expected, there has not been much change in the position of the cloud cover, especially low clouds, overnight. High clouds are over the I-96 corridor terminals, clouds around 3500-4000 ft are in place over the I-94 terminals, and some MVFR conditions just south of I-94. We do expect a period of the MVFR clouds to come up to I-94 for a few hours today. The bkn clouds around 3500-4000 ft should make it to KGRR and KLAN. Late this afternoon and this evening, the clouds will improve as they move out, and skies become mostly clear.

Winds from the NE will pick up again by late morning, then diminish late this afternoon and evening. Skies are likely to clear out at all locations by 06z.

MARINE

Issued at 231 AM EDT Wed Sep 23 2026

One more day of offshore winds that will approach Small Craft Advisory criteria. As has been the case the last few days of this pattern, the offshore component will be the main factor to limit criteria from being met.

We will see winds taper off then Thursday and even more Friday as high pressure settles right over the area through the weekend.

GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

MI...None. MARINE...None.