Heavy Freezing Spray Warning Issued for Lake Huron Waters Through Tuesday

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Detroit/Pontiac MI has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for portions of Lake Huron. This alert is issued when conditions are favorable for rapid ice accumulation on vessels, which can lead to a catastrophic loss of stability. A Gale Warning is also in effect for the region.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following areas of Lake Huron from 5 nautical miles offshore to the US/Canadian border:

• Lake Huron from Sturgeon Point to Alabaster, MI
• Lake Huron from Port Austin to Harbor Beach
• Lake Huron from Harbor Beach to Port Sanilac
• Lake Huron from Port Sanilac to Port Huron

What You Should Do

Mariners should prepare for dangerous accumulation of ice on their vessels. The National Weather Service recommends remaining in port, seeking safe harbor, or altering course to avoid the warning area. Mariners should also secure vessels for hazardous conditions and be prepared for mechanical or electronic components to become inoperative due to freezing spray.

Expected Conditions

Heavy freezing spray is expected at a rate of 2 cm per hour or greater, which may rapidly accumulate on decks and superstructures. During the concurrent Gale Warning, sustained southwest winds up to 32 knots are expected, with gusts reaching 41 knots. Significant waves will reach 14 feet, with a potential maximum wave height of 20 feet. These conditions create a risk of capsizing and reduced visibility.

Timeline

The Heavy Freezing Spray Warning is effective from 2:00 PM EDT Monday, March 16, until 5:00 PM EDT Tuesday, March 17. Maximum winds are expected around 11:00 PM EDT Monday, with the largest waves forecast for approximately 3:00 AM EDT Tuesday.