Heavy Freezing Spray Warning Issued for Lake Superior Near Upper Michigan

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Marquette, MI, has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for portions of Lake Superior. This alert is classified as a severe meteorological event with a high likelihood of occurrence.

Affected Areas

The warning covers Lake Superior from the Upper Entrance to Portage Canal to Manitou Island, MI. The affected zone extends 5 nautical miles offshore to the United States/Canadian border.

What You Should Do

Mariners are advised to prepare for dangerous accumulations of ice on their vessels. If possible, boaters should remain in port or avoid the warning area entirely. Those already at sea should conduct necessary mitigation measures to manage ice buildup.

Expected Conditions

Heavy freezing spray is expected to occur at a rate of 2 cm per hour or greater. This spray may rapidly accumulate on vessels, rendering mechanical and electronic components inoperative. Rapid ice accretion on decks and superstructures is a significant hazard that may result in a catastrophic loss of vessel stability.

Timeline

The Heavy Freezing Spray Warning is effective starting at 1:00 AM EST on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. The conditions are expected to persist until the warning expires at 4:00 PM EST on Wednesday afternoon.