Gary, IN – Hazardous marine conditions are impacting Lake Michigan near Gary, Burns Harbor, and Michigan City, prompting warnings for small craft and heavy freezing spray through Tuesday.
The National Weather Service issued a Small Craft Advisory, in effect until 3 a.m. CST Tuesday for the Gary to Michigan City, Indiana region. Winds up to 25 knots and waves as high as 9 feet have been reported. Additionally, a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning remains active until 4 a.m. CST Monday, with ice accumulating on vessels at rates exceeding 2 cm per hour.
According to the National Weather Service, freezing spray can disable mechanical systems and create dangerous instability for vessels, posing significant risks for mariners.
Further north, similar warnings are in place from Michigan City to St. Joseph, Michigan. These areas will see freezing spray and hazardous conditions persist until 5 p.m. EST Tuesday. Mariners in smaller vessels are urged to remain in port.
Officials advise avoiding these hazardous areas or implementing mitigation strategies to manage ice buildup on vessels. Mariners should monitor updated forecasts and exercise extreme caution when navigating Lake Michigan.
