Storm Warning and Heavy Freezing Spray Warning Issued for Lake Michigan Shoreline from Grand Haven to Manistee

Source: NOAA · Lake Michigan Shoreline (Grand Haven to Manistee)

This alert is no longer in effect.

NOAA issued it on April 5, 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).

Areazine synthesizes this NWS weather alert directly from NOAA's official public data feed. See our methodology for full source attribution and refresh cadence.

The National Weather Service has issued a Storm Warning and Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for Lake Michigan coastal waters, forecasting 50-knot gusts and waves up to 18 feet.

Read this weather record in 30 seconds

Record type
Storm Warning
Affected area
Lake Michigan Shoreline (Grand Haven to Manistee)
Issued
April 5, 2026
Issuing authority
NWS Grand Rapids

Storm notices can cover different combinations of wind, hail, lightning, and rainfall. Use the original notice for the hazards and boundaries attached to this specific record.

Record status: historical. It was issued 4 months ago; use the issuing agency's live warning service for current conditions in Lake Michigan Shoreline (Grand Haven to Manistee).

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids, MI, has issued a Storm Warning and a Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for the Lake Michigan shoreline. These alerts indicate severe maritime conditions that pose a significant threat to vessel safety and stability.

Affected Areas

The warning covers the following coastal regions in Michigan:

  • Grand Haven to Whitehall
  • Whitehall to Pentwater
  • Pentwater to Manistee

What You Should Do

Mariners are urged to remain in port, alter course to avoid the warning area, or take immediate action to secure vessels for severe conditions. Residents and boaters should prepare for dangerous ice accumulation on vessels. If possible, conduct mitigation efforts before the onset of the heaviest spray.

Expected Conditions

  • Wind: Northwest winds between 35 to 45 knots are expected, with gusts reaching up to 50 knots.
  • Waves: Significant wave heights of 13 to 18 feet are forecast.
  • Freezing Spray: Heavy freezing spray is expected to accumulate at a rate of up to one inch per hour. This rapid ice accretion on decks and superstructures can lead to a catastrophic loss of vessel stability and may render mechanical or electronic components inoperative.
  • Visibility: Storm force winds and hazardous waves are expected to significantly reduce visibility and create conditions capable of capsizing or damaging vessels.

Timeline

  • Storm Warning: Effective until 8:00 PM EDT this evening, Monday, March 16.
  • Heavy Freezing Spray Warning: Effective from 8:00 AM this morning through 12:00 PM EDT Tuesday, March 17.

Original source: NOAA Official Notice ↗

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this NWS weather alert.

What is this NWS weather alert about?
The National Weather Service has issued a Storm Warning and Heavy Freezing Spray Warning for Lake Michigan coastal waters, forecasting 50-knot gusts and waves up to 18 feet.
Which agency issued this alert?
This alert was issued by NOAA. The original notice is available at the source link at the bottom of this article.
How severe is this alert?
This alert is classified as "high" severity. Take precautions and monitor for updates.
What area is affected?
This alert affects Lake Michigan Shoreline (Grand Haven to Manistee). Check with NOAA for the most current geographic scope.
Where can I find more Weather Alerts updates?
Browse the full Weather Alerts feed on Areazine at areazine.com/weather/ for the latest updates from NOAA and other agencies.