Heavy Freezing Spray and Gale Warnings Issued for Saginaw Bay and Port Austin Through Tuesday

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Detroit/Pontiac MI has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for the Saginaw Bay region. This alert is in addition to a Gale Warning and a Small Craft Advisory currently in effect for the area. The Heavy Freezing Spray Warning is designated with the NWS alert type code UPW.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the maritime regions of the Outer Saginaw Bay, extending from southwest of Alabaster to Port Austin, MI, as well as the Inner Saginaw Bay.

Expected Conditions

Conditions are expected to deteriorate significantly across three phases:

• Small Craft Advisory: Southeast winds up to 28 knots with gusts to 33 knots. Significant waves of 6 feet are expected, with maximum heights reaching 8 feet.
• Gale Warning: West winds sustained at 35 knots with gusts up to 42 knots. Significant waves will reach 9 feet, with potential maximum wave heights of 13 feet.
• Heavy Freezing Spray Warning: Heavy freezing spray is expected at a rate of 2 cm per hour or greater. This spray may rapidly accumulate on vessels.

Timeline

• Small Craft Advisory: Remains in effect until 8:00 AM EDT Monday. Maximum winds and waves are expected between 2:00 AM and 3:00 AM EDT Monday.
• Gale Warning: Effective from 8:00 AM Monday to 11:00 AM EDT Tuesday. Maximum winds are expected around 10:00 PM Monday, with peak waves around 1:00 AM Tuesday.
• Heavy Freezing Spray Warning: Effective from 2:00 PM Monday to 5:00 PM EDT Tuesday. Peak conditions are expected around 10:00 PM Monday and 1:00 AM Tuesday.

What You Should Do

Operating a vessel in these conditions is extremely hazardous. Mariners should prepare for dangerous ice accumulation which can render mechanical and electronic components inoperative. Rapid ice accretion on decks and superstructures may result in a catastrophic loss of stability.

Mariners are urged to alter plans to avoid these hazardous conditions. If possible, remain in port, seek safe harbor, and secure vessels for high winds and heavy waves which could capsize or damage craft and reduce visibility.