Marquette, Mich. – Residents and visitors across Upper Michigan face a weekend of changing weather hazards, from lingering wildfire smoke and strong thunderstorms tonight to dangerous swimming conditions along Lake Superior beaches on Saturday before improving air quality arrives Sunday.
According to the National Weather Service in Marquette, wildfire smoke will continue affecting air quality through the weekend, although some improvement is expected tonight and again on Sunday as winds shift. Showers and thunderstorms will continue through late Friday evening, with a few storms capable of producing damaging wind gusts and large hail before moving out overnight.
Saturday turns dry, with afternoon highs ranging from 68 to 82 degrees, but gusty north winds will generate large waves and dangerous currents along the Lake Superior shoreline. A Beach Hazards Statement is in effect for Marquette and Alger counties, where life-threatening swimming conditions are expected.
The highest-risk locations include Middle Bay near Presque Isle, Little Presque Isle, McCarty’s Cove, Au Train Bay, Grand Sable Dunes, Miners Beach, and exposed areas of Grand Marais Harbor. Officials urge everyone to stay out of the water and away from piers, breakwalls and other structures where waves and currents can quickly become deadly.
Conditions improve Sunday as lighter southerly winds develop, helping reduce wave heights while also bringing a better chance for improving air quality. High temperatures are expected to rebound into the 80 to 85-degree range.
