Heavy Freezing Spray and Storm Warnings Issued for Central and Western Lake Superior

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Marquette, MI, has issued a series of maritime alerts, including a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning, a Storm Warning, and a Gale Warning. These alerts cover significant portions of Central and Western Lake Superior.

Affected Areas

The warnings impact the following geographic regions:

• Upper Entrance of Portage Canal to Eagle River MI
• Eagle River to Manitou Island MI
• Manitou Island to Point Isabelle MI
• Point Isabelle to Lower Entrance of Portage Canal MI
• Portage Lake to Huron Island MI
• Keweenaw and Huron Bays
• Huron Islands to Marquette MI
• Lake Superior from Upper Entrance to Portage Canal to Manitou Island MI (5NM off shore to the US/Canadian Border)
• Lake Superior West of Line from Manitou Island to Marquette MI (Beyond 5NM from shore)

What You Should Do

Mariners are strongly advised to remain in port or seek safe harbor. If at sea, avoid the warning area or conduct immediate mitigation for ice accumulation. Vessels should be secured for severe conditions, including storm-force winds and extreme wave heights. Operating a vessel in these conditions is hazardous as freezing spray may render mechanical and electronic components inoperative.

Expected Conditions

• Freezing Spray: Heavy accumulation at a rate of 2 cm per hour or greater is expected. Rapid ice accretion on decks and superstructures may result in a catastrophic loss of stability.
• Winds: During the Storm Warning, north winds of 40 to 50 knots are expected, with gusts reaching up to 60 knots. Gale conditions will see northeast winds of 30 to 40 knots with gusts to 45 knots.
• Waves: Wave heights are forecast to reach 13 to 18 feet during the Gale Warning and increase to 21 to 26 feet during the Storm Warning.
• Visibility: Storm force winds and hazardous waves will reduce visibility and may capsize or damage vessels.

Timeline

• Gale Warning: Effective Sunday, March 15, from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM EDT.
• Storm Warning: Effective Sunday, March 15, at 8:00 PM through Tuesday, March 17, at 2:00 AM EDT.
• Heavy Freezing Spray Warning: Effective Sunday, March 15, at 2:00 PM through Tuesday, March 17, at 2:00 PM EDT.