135
FXUS63 KAPX 061824
AFDAPX

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Gaylord MI
124 PM EST Tue Jan 6 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Light freezing rain today, mainly south of M-72 and especailly along
  and south of M-55 with localized amounts of up to one tenth
  of an inch possible.

- Temperatures remain above normal through the week with
  mixed precipitation chances looking to the weekend.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/...
Issued at 314 AM EST Tue Jan 6 2026

Modified Pacific air remains in place across northern Michigan
as the northern stream of the split flow stays displaced to our
north. This pattern continues to favor above normal temperatures
but also introduces increasingly tricky precipitation type
concerns. A fast- moving shortwave and weak surface reflection
sweep through Lower Michigan today, bringing the first mixed
precipitation event. The forecast challenge today centers on a
marginal thermal profile and the exact placement of best
forcing. Most CAM guidance and ensembles continue to favor a
farther south track of the stronger dynamics, which would keep
the most organized precipitation mainly south of M- 72, with the
greatest focus along and south of the M-55 corridor. A shallow
warm nose aloft combined with near-freezing surface temperatures
supports a wintry mix, including a window for freezing rain
this morning. Brief enhancement from frontogenesis may locally
allow for a transition to wet snow at times, though snow
accumulations appear to remain minimal at this point. Ice
accumulations remain the primary concern, with a light glaze up
to around a tenth of an inch possible south of M-72, especailly
along and south of M-55.

High temperatures today will be mild for early January,
generally in the low to mid 30s. Precipitation exits this
evening with dry conditions settling in overnight as
temperatures remain above normal.

&&

.LONG TERM /WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Issued at 314 AM EST Tue Jan 6 2026

A relatively mild pattern persists through much of the
extending period as colder air remains locked to our north
beneath a displaced northern jet. Dry weather is expected
Wednesday into at least the first half of Thursday, with
temperatures continuing well above normal. Highs Wednesday
remain in the 30s, warming further Thursday when parts of
northern Lower may reach the low 40s. Ensemble guidance remains
in good agreement that an active southern stream will send a
moisture rich system northeast Thursday night, tracking across
Lower Michigan. With mild pre-system airmass and a likely
connection to Gulf moisture, current trends favor primarily rain
for much of the area, though this system bears watching given
its potential to produce a decent amount of precipitation.

Attention then turns to the weekend, when another southern
stream wave looks to approach the Great Lakes, potentially
interacting with northern energy. This could introduce colder
air and raise wintry precipitation concerns again, along with
the potential for heavier precipitation totals given another
possible Gulf moisture connection. As this system exits,
temperatures may trend back toward more seasonable levels with a
chance for post system lake effect snow late in the weekend
into early next week...Stay tuned.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 115 PM EST Tue Jan 6 2026

Largely IFR to LIFR CIGs this afternoon, overnight, and into
portions of Wednesday. One deviation from that is TVC & MBL,
which remain in this VFR CIGs hole across the region this early
PM. Indication is that this will fill in and lower with time
this afternoon, and certainly tonight. Additionally, VSBYs
remain MVFR most areas, occasionally IFR this afternoon.
Localized LIFR VSBYs possible with FG/BR as well tonight around
or after 03Z. Any -RA will diminish through the overnight with
dry conditions into Wednesday. Potential for improving
CIGs/VSBYs by the end of the TAF period, but will be monitored
moving forward.

&&

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

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...NSC
LONG TERM...NSC
AVIATION...JLD

NWS APX Office Area Forecast Discussion