textproduct: Grand Rapids

KEY MESSAGES

- Showers and Storms possible Saturday

- Cooler than normal with Frost/Freeze possible Sunday morning

- Showers possible again Tuesday

DISCUSSION

Issued at 204 PM EDT Fri May 8 2026

- Showers and Storms possible Saturday

The large upper level low over Hudson bay will bring a short wave through the area late tonight, early Saturday. This could allow for some light showers Saturday morning, mainly along the lakeshore and US 10 corridor. The limiting factor will be the dryness of the atmosphere. Only expecting light rainfall. As the trough and associated front move to the east the gradient at and behind the front will allow for gusty winds Saturday afternoon. Expect 25 to 35 mph winds tomorrow afternoon, mainly east of the US 131 corridor. Those gusty winds will continue into Saturday evening. The frontal pattern that will move through Saturday has strong mid level shear associated with it. There is some concern that as it moves eastward it could couple with daytime heating to allow for scattered thunderstorms. SPC has the southeastern in a marginal risk for severe storms Saturday afternoon and evening. This includes far southeast Jackson County. Most, if not all convection should form eastward, but if the front stalls there is a chance for storms in southeastern Jackson county. Given the previously mentioned conditions, any storms could be strong. Any storm chances will dwindle quickly Saturday evening.

- Cooler than normal with Frost/Freeze possible Sunday morning

Cooler than normal temperatures will continue. The cold northwesterly flow will Saturday into Sunday should allow skies to clear which could allow for another chance frost/freeze conditions Sunday morning. The large upper level low will move to the east Sunday into Monday.

- Showers possible again Tuesday

High pressure ridge will build over the area Monday into Tuesday. Mid range models are in good agreement with the passage of an upper level system timing Tuesday night into Wednesday, though it is still progged to move fairly quickly.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 102 PM EDT Fri May 8 2026

Scattered cumulus are developing this afternoon with VFR bases expected. Above these cumulus are scattered high clouds. Tonight, low clouds are likely to develop near I-94 with borderline MVFR cigs favored for AZO/BTL/JXN as low-level moisture increases. Can't rule out a few showers overnight, however confidence in coverage and terminal impacts are too low for TAF inclusion. Wind gusts then increase Saturday morning to around 20 knots.

MARINE

Issued at 304 PM EDT Fri May 8 2026

Strong gradient flow out ahead of the approaching system should allow for gusty winds and building waves tonight into tomorrow. As such there is a concern for winds and waves to be hazardous to small craft. At first, through the north and then through the south behind the front from northwesterly flow. As such have a Small craft advisory through the first half of Saturday.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 257 AM EDT Fri May 8 2026

Lowered NBM dew points for today given soundings showing mixing heights rising to 7500 feet. This gives Min RH around 25 percent this afternoon. Deep mixing will yield winds of 20 knots at the surface as well, so we will have to monitor for RFW criteria being reached this afternoon.

GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

MI...None. MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from 1 AM to 1 PM EDT Saturday for LMZ844>849.