National Weather Service Marine Forecast FZUS63 KMQT
FZUS63 KMQT 170901
GLFLS
Open Lake Forecast for Lake Superior
National Weather Service Marquette MI
400 AM EST Sat Jan 17 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 29.6 inch low over eastern Upper Michigan this morning slowly meanders to just north of Georgian Bay today, weakening to 29.7 inches by this evening when it reaches Quebec. Meanwhile, a 30.6 inch high moves over the Plains. While the low lifts northeast through Quebec tonight, the high moves into Texas, briefly extending 29.9 inch ridging over Lake Superior. This is quickly replaced by a 29.8 inch clipper low on Sunday. The low deepens to 29.6 inches over far eastern Lake Superior Sunday night, then moves to Quebec on Monday while another high pressure of 30.6 inches drops south over the Plains. This builds ridging to 30.1 inches over much of Lake Superior on Monday which weakens on Tuesday. A low of at least 29.9 inches then moves over Lake Superior on Wednesday.
LSZ162-172100
Lake Superior west of a line from Saxon Harbor WI to Grand
Portage MN beyond 5NM
400 AM EST Sat Jan 17 2026 /300 AM CST Sat Jan 17 2026/
EARLY THIS MORNING
North winds 20 to 30 knots. A chance of
snow showers. Waves 3 to 5 feet occasionally to 7 feet.
TODAY
North winds 20 to 30 knots diminishing to 15 to 25 knots
by mid afternoon. Freezing spray in the morning. A slight chance
of snow showers. Waves building to 3 to 6 feet occasionally to
8 feet, then subsiding to 2 to 4 feet.
TONIGHT
North winds 10 to 20 knots backing northwest by
midnight, then backing southwest late. A chance of snow showers.
Waves subsiding to calm to 2 feet, then building to 1 to 3 feet.
SUNDAY
Southwest winds 10 to 20 knots becoming northwest 15 to
25 knots by mid afternoon. Snow showers. Waves building to 2 to
4 feet.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Northwest gales to 35 knots. Heavy freezing
spray. A chance of snow showers. Waves building to 5 to 8 feet
occasionally to 10 feet.
MONDAY
Northwest winds 20 to 30 knots backing west in the
afternoon. Heavy freezing spray. Waves subsiding to 3 to 5 feet
occasionally to 7 feet.
MONDAY NIGHT
West winds 15 to 25 knots. Waves subsiding to
2 to 4 feet.
TUESDAY
West winds 10 to 20 knots. Waves subsiding to calm to
2 feet.
WEDNESDAY
Northwest winds 10 to 20 knots increasing to 15 to
25 knots. Waves building to 1 to 3 feet.
Note, wave height forecasts are for ice free areas.
LSZ263-172100
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
400 AM EST Sat Jan 17 2026
GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY EVENING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING
EARLY THIS MORNING
North winds 20 to 30 knots. Freezing spray.
Snow showers likely. Waves 3 to 6 feet occasionally to 8 feet
building to 4 to 7 feet occasionally to 9 feet.
TODAY
North winds 20 to 30 knots diminishing to 15 to 25 knots
by mid afternoon. Freezing spray. A chance of snow showers. Waves
building to 6 to 9 feet occasionally to 11 feet, then subsiding
to 3 to 6 feet occasionally to 8 feet.
TONIGHT
North winds 10 to 20 knots diminishing to 5 to
15 knots by midnight, then increasing to 10 to 20 knots late. A
chance of snow showers. Waves subsiding to 1 to 3 feet, then
building to 2 to 4 feet.
SUNDAY
Southwest winds 10 to 20 knots becoming west 15 to
25 knots by mid afternoon. Snow showers likely. Freezing spray in
the afternoon. Waves 2 to 4 feet.
SUNDAY NIGHT
North gales to 35 knots. Heavy freezing spray. A
chance of snow showers. Waves building to 9 to 12 feet
occasionally to 15 feet.
MONDAY
Northwest gales to 35 knots diminishing to 20 to
30 knots in the afternoon. Heavy freezing spray. A chance of snow
showers. Waves subsiding to 4 to 7 feet occasionally to 9 feet.
MONDAY NIGHT
Northwest winds 20 to 30 knots becoming west
15 to 25 knots after midnight. Heavy freezing spray. Waves
building to 5 to 8 feet occasionally to 10 feet, then subsiding
to 3 to 6 feet occasionally to 8 feet.
TUESDAY
West winds 15 to 25 knots diminishing to 10 to
20 knots. Waves subsiding to 1 to 3 feet.
WEDNESDAY
Northwest winds 10 to 20 knots increasing to 15 to
25 knots. Waves building to 3 to 5 feet occasionally to 7 feet.
Note, wave height forecasts are for ice free areas.
LSZ264-172100
Lake Superior from Upper Entrance to Portage Canal to Manitou
Island MI 5NM off shore to the US/Canadian Border
400 AM EST Sat Jan 17 2026
HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT
GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY EVENING THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON
EARLY THIS MORNING
Northeast winds 20 to 30 knots. Freezing
spray. Snow showers. Waves 3 to 6 feet occasionally to 8 feet
building to 4 to 7 feet occasionally to 9 feet.
TODAY
North winds 20 to 30 knots. Freezing spray. Snow showers
likely in the morning. A chance of snow showers in the afternoon.
Waves building to 4 to 8 feet occasionally to 10 feet.
TONIGHT
North winds 15 to 25 knots diminishing to 5 to
15 knots by midnight. Freezing spray in the evening. A chance of
snow showers. Waves subsiding to 1 to 3 feet.
SUNDAY
Southwest winds 5 to 15 knots increasing to 10 to
20 knots by late morning, then veering west by mid afternoon. A
chance of snow showers in the morning, then snow showers likely
in the afternoon. Waves subsiding to calm to 2 feet, then
building to 2 to 4 feet.
SUNDAY NIGHT
North gales to 40 knots. Heavy freezing spray. A
chance of snow showers. Waves building to 11 to 15 feet
occasionally to 19 feet.
MONDAY
Northwest gales to 40 knots diminishing to 20 to
30 knots in the afternoon. Heavy freezing spray. A chance of snow
showers. Waves subsiding to 5 to 8 feet occasionally to 10 feet.
MONDAY NIGHT
Northwest winds 20 to 30 knots. Heavy freezing
spray. A chance of snow showers. Waves subsiding to 4 to 7 feet
occasionally to 9 feet.
TUESDAY
West winds 15 to 25 knots diminishing to 10 to
20 knots. Waves subsiding to 1 to 3 feet.
WEDNESDAY
Northwest winds 10 to 20 knots increasing to 15 to
25 knots. Waves building to 3 to 6 feet occasionally to 8 feet.
Note, wave height forecasts are for ice free areas.
LSZ265-172100
Lake Superior West of Line from Manitou Island to Marquette MI
Beyond 5NM from shore
400 AM EST Sat Jan 17 2026
GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON
EARLY THIS MORNING
Northeast winds 15 to 25 knots. Snow
showers likely. Waves 1 to 3 feet.
TODAY
North winds 15 to 25 knots increasing to 20 to 30 knots.
Freezing spray. Snow showers likely. Waves building to 4 to
7 feet occasionally to 9 feet.
TONIGHT
North winds 15 to 25 knots diminishing to 10 to
20 knots by midnight, then backing west late. Freezing spray in
the evening. A chance of snow showers. Waves subsiding to 2 to
4 feet.
SUNDAY
Southwest winds 10 to 20 knots increasing to 15 to
25 knots by late morning, then veering west by mid afternoon. A
chance of snow showers. Waves subsiding to calm to 2 feet, then
building to 1 to 3 feet.
SUNDAY NIGHT
West gales to 35 knots becoming northwest gales
to 45 knots after midnight. Heavy freezing spray. Snow showers.
Waves building to 12 to 17 feet occasionally to 21 feet.
MONDAY
Northwest gales to 45 knots. Heavy freezing spray. Snow
showers likely. Waves subsiding to 6 to 9 feet occasionally to
11 feet.
MONDAY NIGHT
Northwest gales to 35 knots backing west after
midnight. Heavy freezing spray. A chance of snow showers. Waves
subsiding to 3 to 6 feet occasionally to 8 feet, then building to
4 to 7 feet occasionally to 9 feet.
TUESDAY
West winds 20 to 30 knots diminishing to 15 to
25 knots. Heavy freezing spray. A chance of snow showers. Waves
subsiding to calm to 2 feet.
WEDNESDAY
Northwest winds 15 to 25 knots increasing to 20 to
30 knots. A chance of snow showers. Waves building to 3 to 6 feet
occasionally to 8 feet.
Note, wave height forecasts are for ice free areas.
LSZ266-172100
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
400 AM EST Sat Jan 17 2026
GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY EVENING
EARLY THIS MORNING
Northeast winds 15 to 25 knots. A chance of
snow showers. Waves 3 to 5 feet occasionally to 7 feet.
TODAY
North winds 15 to 25 knots increasing to 20 to 30 knots
by mid afternoon. Freezing spray. A chance of snow showers. Waves
building to 5 to 8 feet occasionally to 10 feet.
TONIGHT
North winds 15 to 25 knots diminishing to 10 to
20 knots by midnight, then backing northwest late. Freezing spray
in the evening. Snow showers likely in the evening, then a chance
of snow showers after midnight. Waves subsiding to 2 to 4 feet.
SUNDAY
West winds 5 to 15 knots becoming southwest 10 to
20 knots by late morning, then increasing to 15 to 25 knots by
mid afternoon. A chance of snow showers. Waves subsiding to 1 to
3 feet.
SUNDAY NIGHT
West gales to 35 knots becoming north gales to
40 knots after midnight. Heavy freezing spray. Snow showers.
Waves building to 12 to 17 feet occasionally to 21 feet.
MONDAY
Northwest gales to 40 knots. Heavy freezing spray. Snow
showers. Waves building to 15 to 20 feet occasionally to 25 feet,
then subsiding to 10 to 14 feet occasionally to 18 feet.
MONDAY NIGHT
Northwest gales to 35 knots. Heavy freezing
spray. Snow showers likely in the evening. A chance of snow
showers after midnight. Waves subsiding to 7 to 10 feet
occasionally to 13 feet.
TUESDAY
West winds 20 to 30 knots diminishing to 15 to
25 knots. Heavy freezing spray. A chance of snow showers. Waves
subsiding to 3 to 5 feet occasionally to 7 feet.
WEDNESDAY
Northwest winds 15 to 25 knots increasing to 20 to
30 knots. A chance of snow showers. Heavy freezing spray. Waves
subsiding to 2 to 4 feet, then building to 5 to 8 feet
occasionally to 10 feet.
Note, wave height forecasts are for ice free areas.
LSZ267-172100
Lake Superior from Grand Marais MI to Whitefish Point MI 5NM off
shore to the US/Canadian border
400 AM EST Sat Jan 17 2026
GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON
EARLY THIS MORNING
Northeast winds 10 to 20 knots. A chance of
snow showers. Waves calm to 2 feet.
TODAY
North winds 10 to 20 knots increasing to 15 to 25 knots
by mid afternoon. A chance of snow showers. Waves building to
3 to 5 feet occasionally to 7 feet.
TONIGHT
North winds 15 to 25 knots diminishing to 10 to
20 knots by midnight, then veering northeast late. A chance of
snow showers. Waves building to 3 to 6 feet occasionally to
8 feet, then subsiding to 1 to 3 feet.
SUNDAY
East winds 10 to 20 knots veering south. Snow showers
likely. Waves subsiding to calm to 2 feet, then building to 1 to
3 feet.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Southwest winds 15 to 25 knots becoming northwest
gales to 35 knots after midnight. Heavy freezing spray. Snow
showers. Waves building to 8 to 11 feet occasionally to 14 feet.
MONDAY
North gales to 35 knots backing northwest in the
afternoon. Heavy freezing spray. Snow showers. Waves building to
10 to 14 feet occasionally to 18 feet.
MONDAY NIGHT
Northwest winds 20 to 30 knots. Heavy freezing
spray. Snow showers likely in the evening. A chance of snow
showers after midnight. Waves subsiding to 7 to 10 feet
occasionally to 13 feet.
TUESDAY
West winds 20 to 30 knots becoming southwest 15 to
25 knots. Heavy freezing spray. A chance of snow showers. Waves
subsiding to 3 to 6 feet occasionally to 8 feet.
WEDNESDAY
Northwest winds 15 to 25 knots. A chance of snow
showers. Heavy freezing spray. Waves subsiding to 2 to 4 feet,
then building to 5 to 8 feet occasionally to 10 feet.
Note, wave height forecasts are for ice free areas.
LSZ261-171500
MAFOR 1710/
Superior West 12840 11830 13820 11710 11610. A chance of snow
showers. Waves 4 to 7 feet subsiding to 3 to 5 feet today. Waves
2 to 4 feet subsiding to 1 to 3 feet tonight.
Superior North Central...HEAVY FREEZING SPRAY WARNING IN EFFECT... 11147 11847 11840 11847 11840 11830 11820 11810. Waves 5 to 8 feet today. Waves 4 to 7 feet subsiding to 2 to 4 feet tonight.
Superior South Central 11137 11830 12837 12737 11720 11710. Waves around 2 feet building to 5 to 7 feet today. Waves 4 to 7 feet subsiding to 3 to 6 feet tonight.
Superior East 11120 11130 11820 12830 11820 11810 11110. A chance of snow showers. Waves 1 to 3 feet building to 3 to 5 feet today. Waves 3 to 6 feet subsiding to 2 to 4 feet tonight.
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
NDBC on Facebook
NOAA on LinkedIn
NDBC on Twitter