Special Marine Warning Issued for Lake Michigan Near Michigan City and St. Joseph

Weather Alerts high NOAA · · Lake Michigan (Michigan City to St. Joseph)

The National Weather Service has issued a Special Marine Warning for Lake Michigan waters until 1:15 AM EDT due to a strong thunderstorm moving east at 65 knots.

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Northern Indiana has issued a Special Marine Warning for portions of Lake Michigan. The alert was issued at 12:32 AM EDT following radar detection of a strong thunderstorm over the lake.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following maritime regions:

  • Lake Michigan from Michigan City, IN to St. Joseph, MI, from 5 nautical miles offshore to the mid-line of the lake.
  • Coastal waters from Michigan City, IN to New Buffalo, MI.
  • Coastal waters from New Buffalo, MI to St. Joseph, MI.

Specific locations impacted include Michigan City and New Buffalo.

Expected Conditions

At 12:32 AM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located 8 nautical miles northwest of Michigan City. The storm is moving east at a rapid pace of 65 knots.

  • Hazards: Wind gusts of 34 knots or greater and small hail.
  • Impact: Small craft could be damaged in briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves.

Timeline

The warning is effective immediately and is scheduled to expire at 1:15 AM EDT on March 11, 2026.

What You Should Do

Mariners are advised to move to safe harbor immediately until the hazardous weather passes. Additionally, a Tornado Watch remains in effect until 2:00 AM EDT for northwestern Indiana, southwestern Michigan, and the adjacent waters of Lake Michigan.

Source: NOAA Official Notice

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this weather alerts alert about?
The National Weather Service has issued a Special Marine Warning for Lake Michigan waters until 1:15 AM EDT due to a strong thunderstorm moving east at 65 knots.
Which agency issued this alert?
This alert was issued by NOAA. The original notice is available at the source link at the bottom of this article.
How severe is this alert?
This alert is classified as "high" severity. Take precautions and monitor for updates.
What area is affected?
This alert affects Lake Michigan (Michigan City to St. Joseph). Check with NOAA for the most current geographic scope.
Where can I find more weather alerts alerts?
Browse all weather alerts alerts on Areazine at areazine.com/weather/ for the latest updates from NOAA and other agencies.