Heavy Freezing Spray Warning Issued for Marquette and Munising Coastal Areas

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Marquette, MI, has issued a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning and a Small Craft Advisory for the coastal waters of Lake Superior. The alert indicates a high risk of rapid ice accumulation on vessels due to freezing spray and high wave activity.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the following geographic regions in Michigan:

• Marquette to Munising, MI
• Munising to Grand Marais, MI

What You Should Do

Mariners should prepare for dangerous accumulation of ice on their vessels. If possible, remain in port, avoid the warning area, or conduct mitigation. Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in these hazardous conditions. Operating a vessel in heavy freezing spray is hazardous as it may render mechanical and electronic components inoperative and result in a catastrophic loss of stability.

Expected Conditions

• Freezing Spray: Accumulation rates of 2 cm per hour or greater are expected.
• Wind: West winds 15 to 25 knots with gusts up to 30 knots.
• Waves: Significant wave heights between 7 and 12 feet.
• Impacts: Rapid ice accretion on decks and superstructures.

Timeline

• Small Craft Advisory: Effective from 7:00 PM EST Tuesday, February 24, until 7:00 AM EST Thursday, February 26.
• Heavy Freezing Spray Warning: Effective from 4:00 AM EST Wednesday, February 25, until 1:00 AM EST Thursday, February 26.