Lake Michigan Small Craft Advisory
The National Weather Service has issued a Lake Michigan Small Craft Advisory, effective from 1 p.m. on Friday, January 12, until midnight on Sunday, January 14.
A Small Craft Advisory is issued when waves are expected to be 6 feet or higher, or when a wind gust of 34 knots or more is expected.
Boaters and anglers should use caution when venturing out onto Lake Michigan during this period. East to northeast winds of 15 to 25 knots will create hazardous conditions for small craft. Waves of 4 to 6 feet are expected, with occasional waves up to 8 feet.
The Small Craft Advisory will be in effect until conditions improve.
Contents
- 1 How high are the waves in Lake Michigan today?
- 2 What is a small craft advisory what size boat?
- 3 What does NOAA consider small craft?
- 4 What flag represents a small craft advisory?
- 5 Could a tsunami happen in Lake Michigan?
- 6 What is the largest wave recorded on Lake Michigan?
- 7 How Strong is 14 mph wind?
How high are the waves in Lake Michigan today?
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron.
Lake Michigan is bounded by the states of Wisconsin to the east, Illinois to the south, Indiana to the west, and Michigan to the north. The word “Michigan” is the French form of the Ojibwe word mishigamaa, meaning “large water” or “large lake”.
The lake has a mean depth of 179 feet (54.9 m) and a maximum depth of 923 feet (281.5 m). It contains a volume of 1,180 cubic miles (4,818 km3) and a shoreline length of 3,722 miles (6,006 km).
Lake Michigan is home to a variety of fish, including muskellunge, walleye, yellow perch, and largemouth bass. It is also home to a variety of birds, including herring gulls, ring-billed gulls, double-crested cormorants, and bald eagles.
The waves in Lake Michigan are affected by the wind. The wind creates waves that travel across the surface of the lake. The size of the waves depends on the strength of the wind and the distance that the wind has to travel across the lake.
The National Weather Service (NWS) measures the wave height at various points along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. The NWS reports that the wave height at Holland, Michigan was 2.5 feet (0.76 m) at the time of this writing. The wave height at Ludington, Michigan was 3.5 feet (1.07 m). The wave height at Grand Haven, Michigan was 4.5 feet (1.37 m). The wave height at St. Joseph, Michigan was 5.5 feet (1.68 m).
The waves in Lake Michigan can be dangerous for people and boats. The NWS advises people to stay out of the water when the wave height is 5 feet (1.5 m) or higher. Boaters should use caution when travelling on the lake, especially when the wave height is 3 feet (0.9 m) or higher.
What is a small craft advisory what size boat?
What is a small craft advisory?
A small craft advisory is a warning for boaters that hazardous conditions are likely to exist in specific areas. The size of the boat that is considered “small” can vary depending on the location, but typically refers to boats of less than 26 feet in length.
What types of conditions can lead to a small craft advisory being issued?
A small craft advisory may be issued when strong winds, high waves, or low air pressure are expected. These conditions can make it difficult for smaller boats to stay safe and can lead to difficulty in steering and controlling the boat.
What should you do if a small craft advisory is in effect?
If you are boating in an area where a small craft advisory is in effect, you should exercise caution and avoid areas where large waves or high winds are present. You should also make sure that you have the proper safety equipment on board, such as lifejackets and flares, and that you know how to use them.
What does NOAA consider small craft?
What does NOAA consider a small craft?
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) defines a small craft as any vessel less than 26 feet in length. This includes canoes, kayaks, and small sailboats.
Why is this information important?
Knowing what NOAA considers a small craft can help you stay safe while on the water. Small craft are more susceptible to rough weather and other hazards, so it’s important to be aware of the risks and take precautions when sailing or paddling in these conditions.
What flag represents a small craft advisory?
The small craft advisory flag (pictured below) is flown by the Coast Guard to indicate to vessels that a small craft advisory is in effect. The advisory is a warning to small boat operators of potentially hazardous conditions. Conditions that may warrant a small craft advisory include gusty winds, high waves, and low visibility.
Could a tsunami happen in Lake Michigan?
Since Lake Michigan is a freshwater lake, it is highly unlikely that a tsunami would ever occur there. A tsunami is a series of large waves that are caused by an underwater earthquake or a landslide.
The largest wave in Lake Michigan was just over 8 feet high, and it was caused by a windstorm. While it is possible for a larger wave to occur in the lake, it is not likely that it would be strong enough to cause a tsunami.
If a tsunami were to occur in Lake Michigan, it would most likely be caused by an earthquake. The most powerful earthquake to ever hit the region was a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that occurred in 1881. A tsunami would not be likely to cause much damage in the lake, but it could cause some damage to the shoreline.
Overall, it is highly unlikely that a tsunami would ever occur in Lake Michigan. The largest wave in the lake was just over 8 feet high, and it was caused by a windstorm. If a tsunami were to occur in the lake, it would most likely be caused by an earthquake.
What is the largest wave recorded on Lake Michigan?
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second-largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third-largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron.
The largest wave ever recorded on Lake Michigan was 38.3 feet (11.7 meters) high, on November 28, 1986. The wave was measured using a pressure sensor mounted on a buoy about 5 miles (8 kilometers) off shore from Milwaukee.
How Strong is 14 mph wind?
14 mph wind is considered a light breeze. It’s not strong enough to knock you down, but it might be strong enough to move some lightweight objects around.
