Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Green Bay, WI
Issued by NWS Green Bay, WI
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619 FXUS63 KGRB 182330 AFDGRB Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Green Bay WI 630 PM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026 Updated aviation portion for 00Z TAF issuance .KEY MESSAGES... - Isolated to scattered showers and storms (40 to 60% chance) today. Marginal risk (level 1 of 5) for severe storms over portions of central and east-central Wisconsin. - Dry mid-week then next round of showers/storms arrives late Thursday into Friday. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 133 PM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026 Shower/Storm Chances Today... Initial showers have begun to develop across west, central, and southern Wisconsin this afternoon but are largely from the mid- level clouds visible on satellite, with limited rain reaching the surface. As we get into the late afternoon to evening, convection is expected to become more surface based, supported by a weak upper jet and approaching cold front. Expect the rain coverage to expand eastwards over the next few hours, especially across portions of central and eastern Wisconsin along the lakeshore, where temperatures are warmest. Active weather will be fast-moving today, leading to fairly scattered coverage (40-60% at any one location) with frequent on and off breaks through the evening. A marginal severe threat will also be present, generally located south of Highway 29 and along the lakeshore of Lake Michigan, where instability is greater. Hail will be a threat for any storms given organizational shear and the potential for some splitting, especially with the relatively low wet-bulb zero heights. Additionally, any storms could also bear a wind concern, mixing down some of the strong winds aloft. Heavy rainfall will be somewhat limited by the progressive nature of any storms and somewhat limited moisture pool, but probabilistic guidance does produce a 40% chance of a quick 0.50-0.75 inches of rain under the stronger storms. Active weather then quickly dissipates going into the overnight hours. Next chance for organized/widespread showers and storms arrives Thursday into Friday, as another cold front and shortwave drop across the state. Timing has sped up, with 20-40% PoPs arriving Thursday afternoon across central and north-central WI, with 50- 70% PoPs spreading across the region Thursday evening into Thursday night. Some locally heavy rainfall will be possible with this system as PWATs climb to at least 1.5" and soundings showing tall/skinny CAPE. Won`t be a drought buster type of event with a widespread soaking rain, but some spots should pick up some much needed rainfall. Latest timing would suggest severe threat will remain low as the majority of the activity does not arrive until late in the day/overnight, but some stronger storms will be possible if the 1000 to 1500 J/kg CAPE materializes, with ML guidance continues to show a broad 5-15% prob severe threat. Some rain and showers may linger on into Friday as well, continuing to produce light showers through the daytime hours. Severe potential may again be limited by a lack of instability but may also depend on rain coverage in the 24 hours preceding. Will monitor timing/instability trends in the coming days. Temps & Humidity Levels...Temps will remain fairly steady through the week with highs mainly in the mid 70s to low 80s, which is pretty close to seasonal norms. A couple chilly nights are expected over northern WI, especially tonight where lows in the lower 40s are forecast in far north-central WI (maybe a few upper 30s in the typical cold spots?). It will remain a little on the humid side today, especially south of Hwy 29 as dewpoints climb into the low to mid 60s ahead of the front. Less humid air arrives on Wednesday behind the front as dewpoints drop into the 40s to low 50s. Humidity levels will climb on Friday as the next system moves across the region. && .AVIATION...for 00Z TAF Issuance Issued at 600 PM CDT Tue Aug 18 2026 Main concerns to aviation continue to revolve around lingering shower/storm chances as a cold front tracks south through the evening. Thunder chances will continue to diminish after 00Z, though SCT showers could still be around the area through 04Z. As such, have opted to only include PROB30 mentions for SHRA at the east-central terminals, with thunder chances remaining sub-30. Conditions should largely remain VFR, though brief reductions of both cigs and vsbys to MVFR will be possible if a shower moves directly over a TAF site. More stable air then filters in behind the front on Wednesday, leaving clearing skies and good flying conditions in its wake. CAMs still showing a signal for patchy fog developing overnight, though would likely be limited to areas that recently received rainfall. Have retained VFR vsbys for this TAF issuance due to uncertainty of fog coverage. Northwest winds gusting to 15 knots will be possible during the first couple hours of the TAF period, eventually subsiding to light and variable overnight. && .GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ DISCUSSION.....Uhlmann AVIATION.......Goodin