The National Weather Service (NWS) issued heavy freezing spray warnings on Thursday for Michigan and Alaska that could lead to a “catastrophic loss of stability” of vessels in the impacted waters surrounding the states.
Why It Matters
Heavy freezing spray causes dangerous boating conditions as it “may render mechanical and electronic components inoperative,” according to the NWS. As ice rapidly builds on a vessel, the ice’s weight can cause the vessel to become unstable.
What To Know
Below is a map of the states impacted by the National Weather Service’s (NWS) heavy freezing spray warnings issued Thursday morning.
Michigan
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued heavy freezing spray warnings for the following areas:
- Huron Islands to Marquette, Michigan, Marquette to Munising, Michigan, and Munising to Grand Marais, Michigan.
- Lake Superior West of Line from Manitou Island to Marquette, Michigan, beyond 5 nautical miles from shore and Lake Superior East of a line from Manitou Island to Marquette, Michigan, and West of a line from Grand Marais, Michigan, to the U.S.-Canadian border beyond 5 nautical miles from shore.
Both warnings were issued at 10:25 a.m. ET on Thursday and will be in effect until 7 p.m. ET on Thursday.
Alaska
The NWS issued a heavy freezing spray warning at 4:45 a.m. Alaska time for the following areas:
- Etolin Strait to Dall Point out to 15 nautical miles.
There will be freezing spray Thursday during the day and heavy freezing spray Thursday night, Friday during the day and Saturday night
What Is Heavy Freezing Spray?
The National Weather Service (NWS) issues heavy freezing spray warnings when there is or is expected to be an accumulation of freezing water droplets on a vessel at a rate of 2 centimeters per hour or more. The accumulation is caused by a mix of cold water, wind, cold air temperature and vessel movement.
The difference between a heavy freezing spray warning and a freezing spray advisory is the amount of freezing water droplet accumulation on a vessel. An advisory is issued when there is or is expected to be an accumulation of freezing water droplets on a vessel at a rate of less than 2 centimeters per hour.
What People Are Saying
The National Weather Service (NWS) said in one of its warnings for Michigan issued Thursday: “Mariners should prepare for dangerous accumulation of ice on their vessel. If possible, remain in port, avoid the warning area or conduct mitigation.”…