textproduct: Grand Rapids

KEY MESSAGES

- Blocking Pattern Brings Fair Weather

DISCUSSION

Issued at 256 AM EDT Sat Oct 17 2026

- Blocking Pattern Brings Fair Weather

THe sharp upper trough that brought the cold air and lake effect showers moves east over the weekend with rising heights and southwest flow bringing warmer temperatures. However, the current cold airmass will still be in place for tonight and another round of frost/freeze conditions can be expected away from Lake Michigan where winds can decouple. The growing season will be ended on Sunday, since we are past the climatological end of the season and the two nights of cold temperatures.

No precipitation is expected for the next week under upper ridging. Height falls may finally happen next weekend as a shortwave trough moves across southern Canada and approaches the Great Lakes.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 655 AM EDT Sat Oct 17 2026

VFR conditions will continue through Sunday morning. Northwest winds less than 10 knots this morning will go southwest and increase this afternoon with some gusts to 20 knots at MKG by late afternoon.

MARINE

Issued at 256 AM EDT Sat Oct 17 2026

The Gale Warning expired at 2 AM and was followed with a Small Craft Advisory until 10 AM. The day shift will have to hoist another SCA or even a Gale Warning for later today and beyond as southwest winds increase and waves build.

GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

MI...Freeze Warning until 8 AM EDT this morning for MIZ043>046- 050>052-056>059. Frost Advisory until 8 AM EDT this morning for MIZ064>067- 071>074. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 10 AM EDT this morning for LMZ844>849.