textproduct: Grand Rapids

KEY MESSAGES

- Fog This Evening

- Rain Late Thursday then Weekend Snow Chances

DISCUSSION

Issued at 250 PM EST Tue Jan 6 2026

- Fog This Evening and Overnight

Areas of dense fog have formed this afternoon across the southern half of the forecast area where dew points in the mid 30s are located and precip has tapered off. We currently have an SPS out for the fog but may need to issue an advisory if it persists into the evening. The continued precip further north should keep widespread dense fog from forming until later tonight.

- Rain Late Thursday then Weekend Snow Chances

A southern stream shortwave trough results in Southern Plains cyclogenesis on Wednesday with the low center progged to track into Lower Michigan by late Thursday. Cold air is lacking and precip type will be rain. QPF has trended downward since yesterday as the low is now forecast to track further west and our area may be dry slotted Thursday night.

Things get interesting on Saturday as another southern stream trough ejects into the Plains then phases with the northern stream and draws in cold air. Rain changes to snow by Saturday night and lake enhanced snows continue into Sunday as the sharp upper trough axis swings through.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 635 PM EST Tue Jan 6 2026

LIFR conditions are expected to prevail through late morning/early afternoon Wednesday as advancing high pressure traps low-level moisture. Widespread LIFR ceilings are ongoing and will continue through the night and into Wednesday. Melting snowpack and stratus build down are likely to lead to areas of fog overnight, potentially dense at times. The best potential for dense fog is at AZO/BTL. Conditions will be slow to improve with conditions improving to IFR by late morning/early afternoon and MVFR by late afternoon. Northwest winds tonight will shift to southwesterly by Wednesday afternoon.

GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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