Gale Warning Issued for Lake County Harbors Through March 13

Northeast winds roaring off Lake Superior are pushing waves up to 14 feet along the North Shore, with the National Weather Service in Duluth placing the Silver Bay Harbor to Two Harbors corridor under a Gale Warning that runs through 10 AM CDT Friday, March 13.

The warning follows a Small Craft Advisory that was in effect from 4 PM to 7 PM CDT Wednesday, bringing east winds of 10 to 20 knots, gusts up to 30 knots, and waves of 1 to 4 feet to the affected segments. As conditions deteriorated Wednesday evening, the Gale Warning took hold at 7 PM CDT, bringing a sharper and more dangerous shift: northeast winds of 20 to 30 knots, gusts reaching up to 40 knots, and waves surging to between 9 and 14 feet.

The Hazardous Weather Outlook issued by NWS Duluth at 4:04 AM CDT Thursday painted an even more severe picture for the broader North Shore and Outer Apostle Islands, warning that "gale force easterly wind gusts to 45 knots are expected tonight into Friday morning along the North Shore and Outer Apostles. Gale Warnings are in effect."

The affected marine zones stretch well beyond Lake County, spanning a long arc of western Lake Superior from Grand Portage to Grand Marais, Grand Marais to Taconite Harbor, Taconite Harbor to Silver Bay Harbor, Silver Bay Harbor to Two Harbors, Two Harbors to Duluth, and continuing southwest to Port Wing, Sand Island, Bayfield, and Oak Point in Wisconsin. The Outer Apostle Islands beyond five nautical miles from the mainland are also included.

Mariners operating anywhere along this stretch, including those working out of Two Harbors and Silver Bay, are advised to prepare for strong winds and to avoid venturing onto the lake while the Gale Warning remains active. Waves in the 9 to 14-foot range are capable of overwhelming smaller vessels and creating life-threatening conditions even for experienced crews.

The warning expires at 10 AM CDT on March 13, though conditions along the North Shore can shift quickly and mariners should monitor updated NWS Duluth products before returning to the water.