GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Visibility across western and central Michigan dropped sharply early Sunday as dense fall fog blanketed roads from Muskegon to Lansing, prompting a Weather Alert from the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids. Drivers heading along I-96, US-131, and M-6 should use caution through midmorning as visibilities dip below one mile.
According to the National Weather Service, patchy dense fog is expected to lift by 10 a.m. EDT, giving way to a bright and unseasonably warm afternoon. Highs will reach the upper 60s to near 70 degrees Sunday and climb into the low 70s for Columbus Day, giving families one last warm holiday outing before a cooler midweek turn.
By Tuesday, a shift in wind from the north will bring a gradual cooldown, signaling the first hints of a broader fall pattern. Overnight lows will slip into the 40s, and forecasters expect the first frost potential by Thursday morning across inland counties including Montcalm, Ionia, and Barry. Gardeners should prepare to protect sensitive plants, while early risers may notice crisp mornings returning by midweek.
No rain is expected through Wednesday, making for ideal travel and outdoor conditions across West Michigan’s pumpkin patches and fall color routes. Still, residents are urged to keep headlights on during foggy commutes and allow extra time for morning school traffic as students return after the long holiday weekend.
Five-Day Forecast for Grand Rapids, MI:
Sun: 68/50 – Patchy fog early; turning sunny and mild.
Mon: 73/54 – Mostly sunny; pleasant Columbus Day.
Tue: 71/44 – Mostly sunny; cooler breeze developing.
Wed: 62/37 – Mostly sunny; crisp fall air returns.
Thu: 63/45 – Sunny and cool; possible frost inland early.
