Heavy Weather Expected on Lake Michigan

The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan is urging mariners and anyone going on or near the water Wednesday to use extreme caution and be aware of extreme weather on Lake Michigan over the next few days.

 

The National Weather Service in Milwaukee issued a gale warning for all of Lake Michigan effective from Wednesday evening through Thursday morning, as winds are expected to gust to more than 50 mph across the lake, and waves are forecast to build to more than 15 feet.

 

These heavy winds, high waves and driving rain will create dangerous conditions for anyone on the water, the Coast Guard said.

 

“Operating a vessel in gale conditions requires experience and properly equipped vessels,” said Dennis Vancleve, of the National Weather Service. “The National Weather Service recommends that mariners without the proper experience seek safe shelter prior to the onset of gale conditions.”