Forecast Details for Grand Rapids, MI

Recent Locations: Aurora, IL Jackson, MS Grand Rapids, MI

This Afternoon: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 3pm and 5pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67. Southeast wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms before midnight, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between midnight and 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Low around 46. South wind 15 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 57. West wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

Friday Night: A chance of showers before 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 2am. Low around 46. Light east northeast wind becoming east 6 to 11 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 2pm, then a chance of showers. High near 64. East southeast wind 10 to 14 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Monday: A chance of showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 47.

Monday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 55.

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Current U.S. National Radar--Current

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National Weather Forecast--Current

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National Weather Forecast for Tomorrow

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North America Water Vapor (Moisture)

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Weather Topic: What are Contrails?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Contrails

Next Topic: Cumulonimbus Clouds

A contrail is an artificial cloud, created by the passing of an aircraft.

Contrails form because water vapor in the exhaust of aircraft engines is suspended in the air under certain temperatures and humidity conditions. These contrails are called exhaust contrails.

Another type of contrail can form due to a temporary reduction in air pressure moving over the plane's surface, causing condensation. These are called aerodynamic contrails.

When you can see your breath on a cold day, it is also because of condensation. The reason contrails last longer than the condensation from your breath is because the water in contrails freezes into ice particles.

Next Topic: Cumulonimbus Clouds

Weather Topic: What are Cumulus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Cumulus Clouds

Next Topic: Drizzle

Cumulus clouds are fluffy and textured with rounded tops, and may have flat bottoms. The border of a cumulus cloud is clearly defined, and can have the appearance of cotton or cauliflower.

Cumulus clouds form at low altitudes (rarely above 2 km) but can grow very tall, becoming cumulus congestus and possibly the even taller cumulonimbus clouds. When cumulus clouds become taller, they have a greater chance of producing precipitation.

Next Topic: Drizzle