609 FXUS63 KAPX 022326 AFDAPXArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Gaylord MI 726 PM EDT Thu Oct 2 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Near record warmth through the weekend with fire danger concerns. - Gales possible on Lake Michigan Sunday and Sunday night. - Cooler next week with increasing rain chances.
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.SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/... Issued at 210 PM EDT Thu Oct 2 2025
Upper ridge axis remains anchored over the Great Lakes with surface high slowly drifting to our east, turning low level winds more southerly. A weak low level boundary will sink southward out of Canada toward eastern upper later tonight. Although the main forcing with this feature will remain well north/west of our area, enough low level convergence within an axis of higher PWAT`s to possibly produce an isolated shower north of M-28 (although most will remain dry). Low temperatures in the 40s and 50s with minimal fog potential overnight.
That aforementioned weak boundary over eastern upper will become more diffuse on Friday with the main forcing remaining well to our north. Some weak mid level instability on forecast soundings, with CAPES around 300 j/kg. Combined with elongated low level convergence along the rather diffuse boundary may be enough to produce a few showers (thunderstorms?) over eastern upper and possibly northeast lower. Most areas will remain dry and confidence is low in precipitation chances. Temperatures soaring into the 80s in many inland areas over northern lower, 70s near the coasts and eastern upper.
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.LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY/... Issued at 210 PM EDT Thu Oct 2 2025
An isolated shower/storm possible Friday night as the rather diffuse boundary sags further south and washes out across northern lower. Otherwise, very warm and increasingly breezy over the weekend as the surface high drifts eastward with a deeper trough over the intermountain west. As low pressure eventually deepens over the upper Midwest, the pressure gradient will tighten across the Great Lakes. Winds will become gusty, especially along and west of Interstate 75, with temperatures well into the 80s in many areas. Fire danger rating for northern lower via Great Lakes Fire and Fuels shows High to Very High on Sunday due to the warm, breezy, and dry conditions.
Bigger changes begin to take shape Sunday night into Monday as low pressure slides to the north of the Great Lakes, with a frontal boundary sagging into the Great Lakes. After this first frontal passage, a stronger boundary will be poised to sweep into the area midweek, bringing an even cooler airmass to the area. Certainly better precipitation chances next week (compared to this current week of dryness) with a more active northern jet stream but still plenty of question marks as to exactly how much rain may fall.
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.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 720 PM EDT Thu Oct 2 2025
VFR conditions will prevail through the issuance period. South to southeast winds will turn south to southwest through the night for Friday, with occasional gusts around 15 kts. Chance for light showers at CIU will be possible Friday, especially after 14Z.
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.APX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MI...None. MARINE...None.
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SHORT TERM...JK LONG TERM...JK AVIATION...NSC
NWS APX Office Area Forecast Discussion