788
FXUS63 KAPX 120650
AFDAPX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Gaylord MI
250 AM EDT Wed Aug 12 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Chance for showers/storms thru this evening. Marginal severe
  risk this afternoon/early evening in our southeast.

- Increasing shower/storm chances this weekend, especially Saturday
  night.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 250 AM EDT Wed Aug 12 2026

Reasonably fast wnw-flow aloft continues overhead for a few more
days, at least until a upper ridge tries to build toward the western
lakes this weekend. The primary frontal zone has settled well to our
south, associated with the MCS track from the southern lakes to mid-
Atlantic states. But a secondary instability axis is reforming
further north, noting that spotty deep convection is ongoing in
central/northern WI. A secondary surface trof/front is also drifting
southward across MI today.

Today/tonight...some morning fog/lower clouds remains possible,
especially in the south, where the BL is more moist. This will again
erode fairly quickly this morning. Strong diurnal heating will boost
instability, which will also be highest in the south. Recent HRRR
runs take MlCape values to just above 1k j/kg south of M-72. There
will be opportunities for localized low-level moisture pooling just
ahead of lake breeze boundaries. Speaking of which, that is our
clear initial trigger source today. Certainly a chance for fire
something as far north as inland from APN/Rogers, where lake breezes
converge from two different directions. However, the best for
stronger storms will be further south, where initiation feels a
little less certain. But we managed reasonable coverage of
showers/storms Monday se of the office, in another boundary-poor
environment. We just need to pop a couple of outflow boundaries to
breed new convective cells.

So, will be increasing pops over guidance this afternoon and
evening. Low level winds are negligible, and 0-1km bulk shear is as
well. But 0-6km bulk shear values are 40-50kt, thanks to fast mid-
level flow. So some potential for upscale growth and storm
organization, especially in the south with richer instability. Any
severe storms would pose a wind and maybe hail threat. SPC has
shrunk/reoriented the marginal SVR risk to just our se zones, and
this makes perfect sense to me. After late evening, will have little
precip, but some fog again possible (especially where it rains later
today).

Thursday and beyond...high pressure building se from central Canada
will shove the frontal zone further south. Developing ne low-level
flow will bring in cooler/drier/more stable air. After maybe a stray
shower or two Thursday, dry wx is expected Thu night thru Fri night.
After that, the high heads east and return flow kicks in. Shower/
storm chances look to return over the weekend, with at least an
outside chance for healthy rainfall, centered for now on Saturday
night. Dry and cool northerly flow for Monday, before becoming
unsettled again after. Max temps mid 70s to lower 80s for the next
several days, a little cooler Sunday and beyond. Note that models
have trended a little milder for the end of this week.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 1126 PM EDT Tue Aug 11 2026

VFR condtions will continue into early tonight with a few
spotty low chances for showers/ thunderstorm perhaps across CIU,
PLN, TVC, and MBL a little later tonight, but would not
prevail. MVFR to IFR conditions expected to develop later
tonight with low clouds and fog/mist forming. Conditions are
expected to improve through the morning returning to VFR by the
afternoon. Winds look to remain generally light with perhaps a
few gusts to 15 knots in the afternoon Wednesday.

&&

.APX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MI...None.
MARINE...None.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...JZ
AVIATION...NSC