Great Lakes Forecast
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561
FZUS63 KMQT 122002
GLFLS

Open Lake Forecast for Lake Superior
National Weather Service Marquette MI
401 PM EDT Tue May 12 2026

For waters beyond 5 nautical miles of shore on Lake Superior.

Waves are the significant wave height - the average of the
highest 1/3 of the wave spectrum. Occasional wave height is the
average of the highest 1/10 of the wave spectrum.

.SYNOPSIS...

A 29.7 inch Clipper low will move across Upper Michigan through this
evening. As the Clipper departs eastward early Wednesday, ridging
moves back over Lake Superior and builds to 30.1 inches Wednesday
night into Thursday. This ridging is pressed southeast to the Lower
Great Lakes late Thursday into Friday while a 29.1 inch low emanates
off the Canadian Rockies. This low is expected to bring troughing of
29.6 inches over Lake Superior Friday into Friday night as it tracks
to near James Bay at 29.3 inches by Saturday morning. Ridging of
30.1 inches builds over the lake from northern Ontario Saturday
night into Sunday, followed by another 29.7 inch trough extending
from the central Plains early next week.


LSZ162-130800-
Lake Superior west of a line from Saxon Harbor WI to Grand
Portage MN beyond 5NM-
401 PM EDT Tue May 12 2026 /301 PM CDT Tue May 12 2026/

.LATE THIS AFTERNOON...North winds 15 to 25 knots. Scattered rain
showers. Waves 3 to 5 feet occasionally to 7 feet.
.TONIGHT...North winds 15 to 25 knots diminishing to 5 to
15 knots after midnight, then backing northwest late. A slight
chance of rain showers through midnight. Waves subsiding to 1 to
3 feet.
.WEDNESDAY...Northwest winds 5 to 15 knots backing west in the
afternoon. Waves subsiding to calm to 2 feet.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...North winds 5 to 15 knots veering east after
midnight. Waves calm to 2 feet.
.THURSDAY...East winds 5 to 15 knots increasing to 10 to 20 knots
by mid afternoon. Waves building to 1 to 3 feet.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...East winds 10 to 20 knots becoming south 20 to
30 knots after midnight. Rain showers. Waves building to 3 to
6 feet occasionally to 8 feet.
.FRIDAY...Southwest winds 15 to 25 knots increasing to 20 to
30 knots by mid afternoon. Waves subsiding to 3 to 5 feet
occasionally to 7 feet.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...West winds 15 to 25 knots increasing to 20 to
30 knots after midnight. Waves subsiding to 2 to 4 feet.
.SATURDAY...West winds 15 to 25 knots becoming northeast 10 to
20 knots. Waves building to 3 to 5 feet occasionally to 7 feet,
then subsiding to calm to 2 feet.
.SUNDAY...Northeast winds 20 to 30 knots. A chance of rain
showers, then rain showers likely. Waves building to 3 to 6 feet
occasionally to 8 feet.

$$

LSZ263-130800-
Lake Superior from Saxon Harbor WI to Upper Entrance to Portage
Canal MI 5NM off shore to the US/Canadian border including Isle
Royale National Park-
401 PM EDT Tue May 12 2026

.LATE THIS AFTERNOON...North winds 15 to 25 knots. Scattered rain
showers. Waves 4 to 7 feet occasionally to 9 feet.
.TONIGHT...North winds 15 to 25 knots diminishing to 10 to
20 knots after midnight, then backing northwest late. A slight
chance of rain showers through midnight. Waves subsiding to 2 to
4 feet.
.WEDNESDAY...Northwest winds 5 to 15 knots backing west in the
afternoon. Waves subsiding to calm to 2 feet.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...North winds 5 to 15 knots becoming east less
than 10 knots late. Waves calm to 2 feet.
.THURSDAY...East winds 5 to 15 knots increasing to 10 to 20 knots
by mid afternoon. Waves building to 1 to 3 feet.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Southeast winds 15 to 25 knots becoming south
20 to 30 knots after midnight. A chance of rain showers through
midnight, then rain showers likely after midnight. Waves building
to 3 to 6 feet occasionally to 8 feet.
.FRIDAY...South winds 20 to 30 knots becoming southwest 15 to
25 knots by mid afternoon. Waves 3 to 6 feet occasionally to
8 feet.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...West winds 15 to 25 knots increasing to 20 to
30 knots after midnight. Waves building to 5 to 8 feet
occasionally to 10 feet.
.SATURDAY...West winds 20 to 30 knots becoming east 5 to
15 knots. Waves building to 6 to 9 feet occasionally to 11 feet,
then subsiding to calm to 2 feet.
.SUNDAY...East winds 15 to 25 knots. A chance of rain showers,
then rain showers likely. Waves building to 3 to 6 feet
occasionally to 8 feet.

$$

LSZ264-130800-
Lake Superior from Upper Entrance to Portage Canal to Manitou
Island MI 5NM off shore to the US/Canadian Border-
401 PM EDT Tue May 12 2026

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

.LATE THIS AFTERNOON...East winds 20 to 30 knots. Numerous rain
showers, possibly mixed with snow. Waves 5 to 8 feet occasionally
to 10 feet.
.TONIGHT...Northeast winds 15 to 25 knots backing north after
midnight. A slight chance of snow showers through midnight. A
chance of rain showers. Waves subsiding to 2 to 4 feet.
.WEDNESDAY...Northwest winds 10 to 20 knots. Waves subsiding to
1 to 3 feet.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Northwest winds 10 to 20 knots becoming north
5 to 15 knots after midnight. Waves subsiding to calm to 2 feet.
.THURSDAY...East winds 5 to 15 knots becoming southeast 10 to
20 knots by mid afternoon. Waves calm to 2 feet.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Southeast winds 15 to 25 knots becoming south
20 to 30 knots after midnight. Rain showers likely after
midnight. Waves building to 4 to 7 feet occasionally to 9 feet.
.FRIDAY...South winds 20 to 30 knots diminishing to 15 to
25 knots by mid afternoon. A chance of rain showers through early
afternoon. Waves building to 4 to 8 feet occasionally to 10 feet.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Southwest winds 15 to 25 knots becoming west
gales to 35 knots after midnight. Waves subsiding to 3 to 6 feet
occasionally to 8 feet, then building to 5 to 8 feet occasionally
to 10 feet.
.SATURDAY...West gales to 35 knots becoming east 5 to 15 knots.
Waves building to 6 to 9 feet occasionally to 11 feet, then
subsiding to calm to 2 feet.
.SUNDAY...East winds 15 to 25 knots veering southeast. A chance
of rain showers. Waves building to 4 to 7 feet occasionally to
9 feet.

$$

LSZ265-130800-
Lake Superior West of Line from Manitou Island to Marquette MI
Beyond 5NM from shore-
401 PM EDT Tue May 12 2026

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

.LATE THIS AFTERNOON...Southeast winds 20 to 30 knots. Numerous
rain showers. Waves 4 to 8 feet occasionally to 10 feet.
.TONIGHT...North winds 15 to 25 knots increasing to 20 to
30 knots after midnight, then backing northwest late. A chance of
rain showers. Waves subsiding to 3 to 5 feet occasionally to
7 feet, then building to 4 to 7 feet occasionally to 9 feet.
.WEDNESDAY...Northwest winds 20 to 30 knots diminishing to 15 to
25 knots late. Waves subsiding to 2 to 4 feet.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Northwest winds 10 to 20 knots diminishing to
5 to 15 knots late. Waves subsiding to calm to 2 feet.
.THURSDAY...East winds 5 to 15 knots increasing to 15 to 25 knots
by mid afternoon. Waves building to 1 to 3 feet.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Southeast winds 20 to 30 knots veering south
after midnight. A chance of rain showers after midnight. Waves
building to 3 to 6 feet occasionally to 8 feet.
.FRIDAY...South winds 20 to 30 knots. A chance of rain showers.
Waves building to 4 to 7 feet occasionally to 9 feet, then
subsiding to 3 to 6 feet occasionally to 8 feet.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Southwest winds 20 to 30 knots veering west after
midnight. Waves subsiding to 3 to 5 feet occasionally to 7 feet,
then building to 4 to 7 feet occasionally to 9 feet.
.SATURDAY...West gales to 35 knots becoming east 10 to 20 knots.
Waves building to 5 to 8 feet occasionally to 10 feet, then
subsiding to calm to 2 feet.
.SUNDAY...East winds 15 to 25 knots becoming southeast 20 to
30 knots. A chance of rain showers, then rain showers likely.
Waves building to 5 to 8 feet occasionally to 10 feet.

$$

LSZ266-130800-
Lake Superior East of a line from Manitou Island to Marquette MI
and West of a line from Grand Marais MI to the US/Canadian Border
Beyond 5NM from shore-
401 PM EDT Tue May 12 2026

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

.LATE THIS AFTERNOON...Southeast winds 20 to 30 knots. Numerous
rain showers. Waves 5 to 8 feet occasionally to 10 feet.
.TONIGHT...East winds 20 to 30 knots backing north after
midnight. Rain showers likely through midnight, then a chance of
rain showers after midnight. Waves subsiding to 3 to 6 feet
occasionally to 8 feet, then building to 5 to 8 feet occasionally
to 10 feet.
.WEDNESDAY...North winds 20 to 30 knots backing northwest in the
afternoon. A slight chance of rain showers through early
afternoon. Waves subsiding to 3 to 6 feet occasionally to 8 feet.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Northwest winds 15 to 25 knots becoming north
10 to 20 knots after midnight, then diminishing to 5 to 15 knots
late. Waves subsiding to 1 to 3 feet.
.THURSDAY...North winds less than 10 knots becoming southeast
10 to 20 knots by mid afternoon. Waves subsiding to calm to
2 feet.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Southeast winds 20 to 30 knots becoming south
gales to 35 knots after midnight. A chance of rain showers after
midnight. Waves building to 4 to 7 feet occasionally to 9 feet.
.FRIDAY...South gales to 40 knots. Rain showers likely through
early afternoon. Waves building to 6 to 9 feet occasionally to
11 feet.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...South winds 20 to 30 knots veering southwest
after midnight. Waves subsiding to 4 to 7 feet occasionally to
9 feet.
.SATURDAY...West gales to 35 knots becoming north 10 to 20 knots.
Waves building to 7 to 10 feet occasionally to 13 feet, then
subsiding to 1 to 3 feet.
.SUNDAY...East winds 15 to 25 knots becoming southeast 20 to
30 knots. A chance of rain showers, then rain showers likely.
Waves building to 5 to 8 feet occasionally to 10 feet.

$$

LSZ267-130800-
Lake Superior from Grand Marais MI to Whitefish Point MI 5NM off
shore to the US/Canadian border-
401 PM EDT Tue May 12 2026

.LATE THIS AFTERNOON...Southeast winds 20 to 30 knots. Numerous
rain showers. Waves 3 to 6 feet occasionally to 8 feet building
to 4 to 7 feet occasionally to 9 feet.
.TONIGHT...East winds 20 to 30 knots becoming northeast 10 to
20 knots after midnight, then becoming north 15 to 25 knots late.
Rain showers likely through midnight, then a chance of rain
showers after midnight. Waves subsiding to 2 to 4 feet, then
building to 3 to 6 feet occasionally to 8 feet.
.WEDNESDAY...North winds 20 to 30 knots backing northwest in the
afternoon. A chance of rain showers through early afternoon.
Waves 3 to 6 feet occasionally to 8 feet.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Northwest winds 15 to 25 knots becoming north
10 to 20 knots after midnight. Waves subsiding to 1 to 3 feet.
.THURSDAY...North winds 5 to 15 knots backing northwest by mid
afternoon. Waves subsiding to calm to 2 feet.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Southeast winds 5 to 15 knots becoming south
15 to 25 knots after midnight. Waves building to 2 to 4 feet.
.FRIDAY...South winds 20 to 30 knots. Rain showers likely through
early afternoon. Waves building to 4 to 7 feet occasionally to
9 feet.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...South winds 20 to 30 knots becoming southwest
15 to 25 knots after midnight. Waves subsiding to 3 to 6 feet
occasionally to 8 feet, then building to 4 to 7 feet occasionally
to 9 feet.
.SATURDAY...West gales to 35 knots becoming northwest 10 to
20 knots. Waves building to 7 to 10 feet occasionally to 13 feet,
then subsiding to 1 to 3 feet.
.SUNDAY...East winds 10 to 20 knots becoming southeast 15 to
25 knots. A chance of rain showers. Waves subsiding to calm to
2 feet, then building to 3 to 6 feet occasionally to 8 feet.

$$

LSZ261-130200-
MAFOR 1221/
Superior West 11830 19836 12830 11710 13700 11600. Waves 2 to 4
feet building to 3 to 6 feet, then subsiding to 2 to 3 feet
tonight. Waves 1 to 2 feet Wednesday.

Superior North Central...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT...11246 11126
13830 11730 12720. Waves 5 to 8 feet subsiding to 3 to 5 feet
tonight. Waves 3 to 5 feet subsiding to 2 to 4 feet Wednesday.

Superior South Central...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT...11346 11236
11830 11840 14740. Waves 5 to 8 feet subsiding to 3 to 6 feet
tonight. Waves 4 to 7 feet subsiding to 3 to 6 feet Wednesday.

Superior East...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT...11346 11246 11136 12830
11840 11730 11740. Waves 5 to 8 feet subsiding to 3 to 5 feet
tonight. Waves 3 to 6 feet Wednesday.

$$

WFO MQT

Experimental modernized open lake forecast is available online at
weather.gov/mqt/glftable

Graphical marine forecasts are available online at:
weather.gov/greatlakes