Heavy Freezing Spray and Gale Warnings Issued for Lake Superior Near Whitefish Point
This alert is no longer in effect.
NOAA issued it on April 6, 2026, 4 months ago. Warnings of this kind stay in effect for hours to a few days, so this page is a historical record of what was issued, not a current warning. For conditions where you are right now, check weather.gov (US), weather.gc.ca (Canada), the Met Office (UK), or the Bureau of Meteorology (Australia).
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The National Weather Service has issued warnings for heavy freezing spray and gale-force winds on Lake Superior, effective through Tuesday evening.
Read this weather record in 30 seconds
- Record type
- Heavy Freezing Spray Warning
- Affected area
- Lake Superior (Grand Marais to Whitefish Point)
- Issued
- April 6, 2026
- Issuing authority
- NWS Marquette
The warning type, named area, and issue time define this record. Confirm all three against the original agency notice before treating it as current.
Record status: historical. It was issued 4 months ago; use the issuing agency's live warning service for current conditions in Lake Superior (Grand Marais to Whitefish Point).
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Marquette, MI, has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning and a Gale Warning for portions of Lake Superior. These alerts signify a high risk of rapid ice accumulation on vessels and dangerous maritime conditions.
Affected Areas
The warning covers Lake Superior from Grand Marais, MI, to Whitefish Point, MI, extending 5 nautical miles offshore to the United States/Canadian border.
What You Should Do
Mariners are strongly advised to remain in port or seek safe harbor immediately. If at sea, avoid the warning area or conduct mitigation efforts to manage ice buildup. Mariners should alter plans to avoid these hazardous conditions and ensure vessels are secured.
Expected Conditions
- Freezing Spray: Accumulation rates of 2 cm per hour or greater are expected, which may rapidly accumulate on vessels.
- Winds: South winds between 25 to 35 knots, with gusts reaching up to 40 knots.
- Waves: Significant wave heights between 6 to 11 feet are anticipated.
- Hazards: Rapid ice accretion on decks and superstructures may lead to a catastrophic loss of vessel stability. Freezing spray can also render mechanical and electronic components inoperative. Strong winds and waves could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.
Timeline
- Initial Heavy Freezing Spray Warning: In effect until 7:00 PM EST this evening.
- Second Heavy Freezing Spray Warning: Effective from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST Tuesday.
- Gale Warning: Effective from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST Tuesday.
Original source: NOAA Official Notice ↗
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