textproduct: Grand Rapids
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
- Freeze Expected Tonight
- Cool with Occasional Showers Next Week
DISCUSSION
Issued at 247 PM EDT Fri May 1 2026
- Freeze Expected Tonight
We have issued a Freeze Warning for tonight for the entire forecast area. A cold airmass is in place with sfc dew points in the 20s and model soundings, including the HRRR, showing enough drying to indicate stratus should diminish this evening, although clouds could return late tonight. Still, we expect temperatures to fall below freezing across all areas, even near Lake Michigan. If skies stay clear fore several hours, we expect temperatures to fall into the 20s.
- Cool with Occasional Showers Next Week
Upper troughing will prevail through next week across the Great Lakes region, bringing mostly cooler than normal temperatures and occasional showers as shortwave troughs pass through in fast northwest flow. Thunder along with gusty winds is possible on Monday afternoon and evening as a cold front moves through. The front stalls across the Ohio Valley with a surface low tracking northeast along the front. At this point it looks like the orecip shield stays east of Lower Michigan.
Even so, showers are possible on Thursday as steep lapse rates would support diurnally-enhanced updrafts and it is cold enough at mid and low levels for them to produce graupel. Frost/freeze conditions will also persist for Sunday morning and much of next week.
AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/
Issued at 144 PM EDT Fri May 1 2026
Visible imagery shows abundant stratocu across the region and radar shows slight light showers. The showers are weak, but we included a vcsh at LAN to account for a few of the heavier ones.
The clouds will dissipate after sunset and redevelop after sunrise Saturday. VFR is expected through the period.
MARINE
Issued at 247 PM EDT Fri May 1 2026
Winds and waves increase on Sunday and unless the forecast changes appreciably a SCA will be needed for Sunday and Monday.
GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
MI...Freeze Warning from midnight tonight to 9 AM EDT Saturday for MIZ037>040-043>046-050>052-056>059-064>067-071>074. MARINE...None.
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