GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Dangerous fall winds are set to whip up Lake Michigan this evening as a powerful gale moves across West Michigan. The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids has issued a Gale Warning from 4 p.m. Sunday through 7 a.m. Monday for the nearshore waters between Grand Haven and Manistee, where winds could gust up to 40 knots and waves may reach 13 feet overnight.
According to the NWS, the strongest winds will develop shortly after sunset, with conditions rapidly deteriorating for boaters and anglers. Winds will remain from the southwest through early Monday, then shift westerly as the system moves east. The combination of high winds and rough waves will make travel across Lake Michigan extremely hazardous for all small craft and nearshore vessels.
Mariners are strongly urged to remain in port or seek safe harbor until winds subside Monday morning. Shoreline flooding and strong rip currents are also possible along exposed beaches from Muskegon northward to Ludington, where large breakers could wash over piers and jetties.
Winds are expected to diminish Monday afternoon, with calmer conditions and cooler temperatures returning for midweek.
