Marquette, Michigan – Extremely dangerous marine conditions are ongoing across Lake Superior this afternoon, with heavy freezing spray and gale-force winds creating a high risk for rapid ice buildup and vessel instability through early Sunday.
Northwest winds are blowing at 20 to 30 knots with gusts reaching 35 knots across western and central Lake Superior, while eastern sections are seeing stronger winds of 25 to 30 knots with gusts up to 40 knots. Wave heights range from 7 to 10 feet in western nearshore waters and build to 9 to 14 feet across central and eastern open waters beyond 5 nautical miles from shore.
According to the National Weather Service office in Marquette, Heavy Freezing Spray Warnings remain in effect for nearly all Lake Superior zones through 7 a.m. EST Sunday, with some western areas expiring earlier at 1 a.m. EST. Freezing spray rates of 2 centimeters per hour or greater are expected, allowing ice to accumulate rapidly on decks, railings, superstructures, and critical equipment.
Gale Warnings remain in effect through 7 a.m. Sunday from Eagle River to Manitou Island, from Manitou Island to Whitefish Point, and across central and eastern Lake Superior. Small Craft Advisories continue closer to shore from Saxon Harbor to Ontonagon and east toward Eagle River through 10 a.m. Sunday, where winds of 15 to 25 knots and waves of 5 to 8 feet remain hazardous.
Mariners are strongly urged to remain in port, seek safe harbor, or avoid warned areas entirely. According to forecasters, heavy ice accretion can disable mechanical and electronic systems and lead to a catastrophic loss of vessel stability in a short period of time.
Conditions are expected to slowly improve Sunday morning as winds ease, but lingering freezing spray and rough waves may persist into midday.
