Vessels Seek Shelter from Lake Superior Gale

A powerful cold front was expected to bring the first measurable snow of the season to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Thursday night through Friday morning, while gale force winds up to 45 mph batter Lake Superior shorelines.

The National Weather Service issued gale warnings for most of Lake Superior Thursday, with northerly winds of 35 to 45 knots expected across the lake. The strongest winds will occur over the central waters, with wave heights building to 15 feet. Along the shoreline, wind gusts between 35 and 45 mph will be common Thursday morning, gradually diminishing from west to east through Friday morning.

Several vessels on Lake Superior were hugging the north shore. Kaye E Barker was tucked in L’Anse Bay at the southern end of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Mesabi Miner was anchored in Goulais Bay on the Canadian side above the locks. Ebroborg, Lee A. Tregurtha and American Mariner were on the hook above DeTour. James R. Barker was anchored north of Mackinac Island while American Spirit was stopped west of the Mackinac Bridge.

A man was swept into Lake Superior from the shore at Marquette’s Presque Isle Park on Thursday, police said, and is still missing.

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