Heavy Freezing Spray Warning Issued for Lake Huron Coastal Waters from Port Austin to Port Huron

Alert Details

A Heavy Freezing Spray Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service in Detroit/Pontiac MI. This alert is in effect alongside a Gale Warning and a Small Craft Advisory for the region’s coastal waters.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following Michigan coastal areas:

• Port Austin to Harbor Beach MI
• Harbor Beach to Port Sanilac MI
• Port Sanilac to Port Huron MI

What You Should Do

Mariners are advised to prepare for dangerous accumulation of ice on their vessels. If possible, remain in port, avoid the warning area, or conduct mitigation. The NWS recommends altering plans to avoid these hazardous conditions, seeking safe harbor, and securing vessels for severe weather.

Expected Conditions

• Freezing Spray: Accumulation rates of 2 cm per hour or greater are expected, which may rapidly build up on vessels.
• Gale Warning Conditions: Sustained winds up to 31 knots from the southwest with gusts up to 40 knots. Significant waves are expected to reach 9 feet, with potential maximum wave heights of 13 feet.
• Small Craft Advisory Conditions: Sustained winds up to 23 knots from the southeast with gusts up to 29 knots. Significant waves will be around 7 feet with a potential maximum of 10 feet.
• Impacts: Operating a vessel in these conditions is hazardous. Ice accretion can render mechanical and electronic components inoperative and may result in a catastrophic loss of vessel stability. Strong winds and high waves could capsize or damage vessels and significantly reduce visibility.

Timeline

• Small Craft Advisory: Remains in effect until 8:00 PM EDT Sunday.
• Gale Warning: In effect from 8:00 PM Sunday to 11:00 AM EDT Tuesday.
• Heavy Freezing Spray Warning: In effect from 2:00 PM Monday to 5:00 PM EDT Tuesday.