NWS-Green Bay Forecast Discussion
FXUS63 KGRB 121157
AFDGRB
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
657 AM CDT Sun Apr 12 2026
Updated aviation portion for 12Z TAF issuance
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Periods of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms expected through the
middle of the week. Expecting widespread 1.5 to 2.5 inches of
rain, highest along and south of Hwy 29, where local higher
amounts in excess of 3 inches could occur.
- A round or two of strong to severe thunderstorms will be
possible during the early to mid part of next week. The greatest
(Slight) risk of severe storms occurs south of a line from
Tomahawk to Oconto to Algoma Monday evening. Hail up to golf
ball size and damaging winds are the main threats. Additional
lower probability severe events are possible across central and
east central WI Tuesday afternoon and evening, and over eastern
WI Wednesday afternoon.
- Much above normal temperatures expected, with highs in the 60s
and 70s from today through Friday.
- Minor flooding will continue along the Wolf River through the
upcoming week. Combined runoff from melting snow in the Upper
Peninsula and heavy rain will likely result in flooding on the
Menominee River by Tuesday or Wednesday, with moderate flooding
in some locations toward the end of the work week and weekend.
- More rain and storms possible Friday into Saturday.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 325 AM CDT Sun Apr 12 2026
Showers and embedded thunderstorms were ongoing across the region,
as a H8 warm front and 50-55 knot low-level jet interacted with a
marginally unstable (MUCAPE 400-800 j/kg) and moist (PWATs 1-1.25
inch) air mass. Heavy rainfall was occurring with this activity,
with a few spots in Marathon County already reporting over 1
inch. Isolated stronger cells were likely also producing small
hail. This batch of showers and storms will shift northeast of the
region by around daybreak, but additional storms developing near
the surface warm front along the MN/IA border should expand and
move through the forecast area this morning.
Models show a general decrease in precipitation after the warm
front lifts north this afternoon. The lull continues tonight into
Monday, as H8 flow turns westerly (parallel to the baroclinic
zone), PWATs drop to less than 1 inch and instability wanes.
The front sags south and stalls across central or southern WI
by Monday evening, and provides the focus for another thunderstorm
complex as a southerly low-level jet redevelops, strengthens and
ascends the frontal zone. Instability peaks across the forecast
area Monday evening, with mid-level lapse rates of 7.5-8.5 C/km
and H8 LI's of -4 to -8 C expected. SPC has placed roughly the
southwest half of the forecast area in Slight Risk, with large
hail (up to golf ball size) and damaging winds the primary
threats. If the surface front sets up over the far southwest part
of the CWA, there could be a low-end threat for a tornado, but the
evening timing of the event is not particularly favorable. Heavy
rainfall will also be a concern, especially south of Hwy 29.
After another lull in the precipitation late Monday night into
Tuesday morning, another period of showers and storms is expected
over mainly central and east central WI later tuesday afternoon
and evenings. A lower-end severe threat is possible during this
period, and SPC has placed parts of central and east central WI in
a Marginal risk of severe. Another low confidence severe event
could occur on Wednesday afternoon, but only if the surface low
tracks far enough west for us to get in the warm sector.
See the Hydrology section for information on heavy rainfall and
flooding potential.
Milder temperatures are expected through the period, with highs
reaching into the 60s and 70s from today through Friday.
Medium-range models show another frontal system approaching late
in the week (Friday-Saturday), with potential for additional
rainfall and thunderstorms.
&&
.AVIATION...for 12Z TAF Issuance
Issued at 648 AM CDT Sun Apr 12 2026
Periods of showers and thunderstorms will impact the region this
morning as a warm front lifts north. IFR/MVFR conditions will
occur during this period, but should improve to VFR as the warm
front lifts north this afternoon. Model guidance is less
optimistic with the improvement to VFR, so confidence is on the
low side. Although additional scattered shower activity could
persist this afternoon and tonight, have opted to leave it out of
the forecast. The front is expected to sag back southeast
tonight, so it makes sense that low clouds and at least patchy
fog will spread back in overnight, especially over the northwest
half, where confidence is highest.
Southeast winds will become south to southwest and gust to 25 to
30 knots after the warm front moves through. The winds should
gradually subside this evening, then turn west later tonight.
LLWS is expected to continue through most of the TAF period, most
notably this morning and again tonight.
&&
.HYDROLOGY...
Issued at 325 AM CDT Sun Apr 12 2026
Minor flooding is expected to continue on the Wolf River through
the next week. Even though total rainfall amounts of 1.5 to 2.5
inches, highest along and south of Hwy 29 (with local 3+ inch
amounts), are expected through Wednesday, there will be
significant lulls between each period of heavy rain. In addition,
rainfall amounts over Upper Michigan will be a bit lower (1-1.5
inches) over the regions where a rapid snowmelt is expected to
occur. The runoff from Upper Michigan is expected to bring
minor flooding on the Menominee River by Tuesday or Wednesday,
with possible moderate flooding in spots by the end of the work
week and weekend.
Have opted to hold off on any Flood Watches for the Menominee
River and adjacent tributaries, as HEFS graphics showed a slower
trend with the flooding and lower probabilities of moderate to
major flooding than yesterday.
&&
.GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.
&&
$$
DISCUSSION.....Kieckbusch
AVIATION.......Kieckbusch
HYDROLOGY......Kieckbusch