Heavy Freezing Spray Warning and Gale Watch Issued for Lake Superior Near Upper Michigan
This alert is no longer in effect.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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NWS Marquette has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning and Gale Watch for Lake Superior, with rapid ice accumulation and 40-knot gusts expected starting Sunday.
Read this weather record in 30 seconds
- Record type
- Heavy Freezing Spray Warning
- Affected area
- Lake Superior (Upper Michigan)
- 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 (Upper Michigan).
Alert Details
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Marquette, MI, has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning and a Gale Watch for specific marine zones in Lake Superior. The alert (VTEC: /O.NEW.KMQT.UP.W.0010.260222T0600Z-260223T0600Z/) highlights a significant threat to maritime safety due to rapid ice accumulation and severe wind conditions.
Affected Areas
The warning and watch cover Lake Superior from the Upper Entrance to Portage Canal to Manitou Island, MI, extending 5 nautical miles offshore to the US/Canadian Border.
What You Should Do
Mariners are strongly advised to prepare for dangerous ice accumulation on their vessels. If possible, remain in port, avoid the warning area, or conduct immediate mitigation. Mariners should consider altering plans to avoid hazardous conditions, seek safe harbor, and secure vessels for severe wind and waves.
Expected Conditions
- Freezing Spray: Heavy freezing spray is expected at a rate of 2 cm per hour or greater. This can rapidly accumulate on vessels, potentially rendering mechanical and electronic components inoperative and causing a catastrophic loss of stability.
- Wind and Waves: North winds of 25 to 30 knots are forecast, with gusts up to 40 knots possible. Waves are expected to reach heights of 6 to 11 feet.
- Visibility: Strong winds and heavy spray may cause hazardous waves that could capsize or damage vessels and significantly reduce visibility.
Timeline
- Heavy Freezing Spray Warning: In effect from 1:00 AM Sunday to 1:00 AM EST Monday.
- Gale Watch: In effect from Sunday afternoon through late Sunday night.
Original source: NOAA Official Notice ↗
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