747 FXUS63 KDTX 140959 AFDDTXArea Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Detroit/Pontiac MI 559 AM EDT Tue Oct 14 2025
.KEY MESSAGES...
- A dry cold front exits SE Michigan this morning and cooler air is slow to arrive until later tonight.
- A low probability (30%) of light rain remains in the forecast late tonight and early Wednsday.
- Dry weather and normal mid October temperatures resume Thursday.
- Warmer air but a more active rain pattern is expected Friday through this weekend.
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.AVIATION...
A dry cold front passing over the region is marked by a band of broken mid-level cloud. This cloud has prevented a more widespread fog/stratus response overnight for much of the area, but areas near Lake Erie that stayed clear overnight were able to develop pockets of IFR to LIFR fog. This will mix out after sunrise with inbound dry air supporting prevailing VFR through the day. Post-frontal wind emerges out of the north to northeast and holds below 10 kt. A weak disturbance passes over the region overnight, bringing in more mid- level cloud and a chance of light showers mainly north of Metro Detroit. Current model signal is for VFR to continue through the period.
For DTW/D21 Convection...No thunderstorms through the TAF period.
DTW THRESHOLD PROBABILITIES...
* Low for visibilities aob 1/2 sm or ceilings aob 200 ft early this morning.
* Medium for ceilings at or below 5000 ft this afternoon.
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.PREV DISCUSSION... Issued at 352 AM EDT Tue Oct 14 2025
DISCUSSION...
A rain-free cold front slides the rest of the way through SE Mi this morning ushering in broad surface high pressure from central Canada this afternoon and tonight. Clear sky and mild air out ahead of the frontal cloud band set up favorable conditions for fog and stratus as temperatures radiate down into surface Td ranging from the upper 40s to lower 50s most locations. The northerly wind shift post front scours out the fog and stratus while model fields show just neutral to shallow/weak cold advection. The slow advance of cooler air is balanced by waning mid October daytime heating as clouds clear north to south across Lower Mi. High temperatures are then able to return a few degrees above normal, especially toward the Ohio border.
The large area of surface high pressure slides to a position centered on Lake Superior tonight, close enough to promote stronger cold advection as post sunset northerly wind continues through the low levels, but not close enough or deep enough to displace the mid level frontal zone. The lingering frontal zone keeps a low probability of light rain in the forecast as a shallowness in the structure maintains the surface boundary well down in the Ohio valley while the 850-700 mb theta-e gradient remains west to east across southern Lower Mi. A subtle mid level short wave and strong upper jet combination backs the 850-700 mb wind just enough to produce some destabilizing moisture transport for rain shower potential late tonight into Wednesday morning. Also notable is a pronounced dry layer shown in model soundings below 850 mb which the inbound moisture will struggle to overcome. The model soundings and plan view QPF support the entry level chance POPs in the going forecast with no increases planned in this early morning update. Pockets of saturation produce enough rain to result in wet ground in scattered locations until the mid level frontal zone is finally driven south of the area by afternoon. Lingering clouds and continued low level cold advection then hold afternoon temperatures in the upper 50s to lower 60s which sets up chilly/frosty conditions as sky clears Wednesday night. Guidance low temperatures are solidly in the mid 30s by sunrise Thursday.
Amplifying larger scale split flow in the mid to upper levels continues during the late week and into the weekend. The closed low moving into the Pacific coast today helps build a southern stream 500 mb ridge over the central States and surface high pressure across the central Great Lakes by Thursday. Consensus of deterministic model solutions maintains dry weather for SE Mi Thursday and Thursday night leading into a transition day Friday. The southern stream Rockies closed low opens up into the Plains and central Canada while producing a large and well-organized surface low pressure system projected to move through northern Ontario and the Great Lakes. The system brings a pronounced warming trend and an active precipitation pattern to SE Mi this weekend.
MARINE...
Northwest winds will gradually increase today as colder air slowly filters into the region. The coldest air will arrive early Wednesday morning, as 850 MB temps drop into the low to mid single numbers. Winds will be out of the northeast at this time as large high pressure builds through the northern Great Lakes. With northerly sustained winds around 20 knots Tuesday night, the prolonged long fetch will likely be enough to build waves at or above 4 feet over the southern Lake Huron Basin. Winds to then become light and variable to end the work week as the high pressure system becomes fully entrenched.
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.DTX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... MI...None. Lake Huron...Small Craft Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 5 PM EDT Wednesday for LHZ421-441.
Small Craft Advisory from 5 PM this afternoon to 5 PM EDT Wednesday for LHZ442-443.
Lake St Clair...None. Michigan waters of Lake Erie...None. &&
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AVIATION.....TF DISCUSSION...BT MARINE.......SF
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NWS DTX Office Area Forecast Discussion