NWS-Green Bay Forecast Discussion

						FXUS63 KGRB 171933
AFDGRB

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
233 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

Forecast discussion for routine afternoon forecast issuance

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Strong to severe storms and locally heavy rainfall possible at
  times through Monday night. Timing and coverage of severe storms
  still uncertain beyond tonight.

- Drier and cooler weather returns mid to late week. Frost or
  freeze headlines may be needed Tuesday night and Wednesday
  night.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 232 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

Round of strong to severe thunderstorms are main focus through
Monday night. What a difference a day makes. Surface warm front
still to the south and with northeast winds, temps are stuck in
the 40s to lower 50s. Springtime in the Great Lakes. Despite near
stable cold layer, elevated instability into WI has supported
organized storms that are now as close as southern Fox Valley to
the lakeshore. These storms are being forced by MCV that came out
of IA earlier this morning. Based on radar trends and near term
CAMS, expect initial showers/tsra to impact the Fox Valley and
lakeshore areas through late this afternoon (4-5p). Then as 850mb
front lifts north with approaching low-level jet and elevated
instability, could see additional development of showers and
storms through the evening. Lack of MCV/velocity enhancement and
sfc warm sector still well to the south suggests that hail would
be the primary hazard with this activity.

Attention this evening eventually turns to developing cluster of
severe storms along NE/SD border as many CAMS indicate this will
grow upscale and ride eastward, arriving over western WI after
midnight. If this line of storms hold together they would be
supported by increasing low-level shear and could pose a damaging
wind threat as they push into western and north-central cwa overnight.
At the least, wind gusts over 40 mph and heavy downpours can be
expected. As this moves through, sfc warm front will finally be
arriving into our area from the south. If this front is a little
faster moving to the north, would be a better shot at sfc based
severe storms/damaging winds.

Still will ride with working theory supported by good portion of
near term guidance that in wake of the overnight showers and
storms and in a more capped warm sector, there could be a min in
showers and thunderstorms during the day on Monday. Will be warmer
day and the most humid day in a while (dewpoints well into the
60s). Going to have to watch if there is an outflow layed out by
the overnight convection as this could lead to additional
convective initiation (CI). Also, some models still graze
southeast area (OSH, MTW) with round of showers and storms late
morning through early afternoon. Given the extent of instability
that will be present by that time (MLCAPEs up to 2000J/kg), strong
to severe storms could occur. Chance pops cover the scenario on
Monday for now with details to still be resolved.

Primary cold front shifts through late Monday night or even
Tuesday morning. Still hints of pre-frontal sfc trough, waves of
low pressure moving through ahead of the front, perhaps modulated
by upstream convection. Cannot rule out severe storms late Monday
evening or even overnight Monday night as any lift from these
mechanisms will be interacting with MUCAPE of 1500-2500J/kg and
0-1km shear over 30 kts. The stronger low-level shear ahead of the
main cold front could offset the typical downward trend in severe
potential that typically is seen deeper into the night. No qualms
with SPC Day2 slight risk.

Cold front sweeps through Tuesday morning with residual chance of
showers and a few storms. All this comes to an end by Tuesday
afternoon. Tuesday will be a breezy day as southerly winds shift
to the northwest. Temps over eastern WI will remain above normal
with highs in the low to mid 70s. Readings will stay in the 40s
and 50s in Vilas County.

Small chances of showers and storms return late week into the
weekend. Main issue this week will be potential for frost or
freeze headlines Tuesday night and Wednesday night.

&&

.AVIATION...for 18Z TAF Issuance
Issued at 106 PM CDT Sun May 17 2026

Rounds of showers and thunderstorms will continue through late
afternoon over eastern WI. Have continued to outline these with
TEMPO and Prob30 groups. Approaching warm front and cool, moist
northeast flow will result in cigs lowering to IFR and MVFR
through this evening. The warm front may trigger a few more
showers and storms early this evening to its north as it shifts
north. Will then need to watch potential for line of storms
currently developing over NE/SD to sweep in from the west
overnight tonight. Potential for gusty winds to accompany these
storms if they occur.

Rest of the TAF period will feature MVFR cigs over northern WI
and trend to VFR elsewhere in wake of the warm front that lifts
through the area. Some storms could clip lakeshore areas (MTW)
late morning into the early afternoon. Low confidence on that, so
will leave out for now.

&&

.GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION.....JLA
AVIATION.......JLA