How a government shutdown impacts the National Weather Service
As many federal agencies shutter amid the shutdown, NOAA can’t close its doors, but it does have to halt some services.
Strong winds over the weekend created huge waves on the Great Lakes and led the Mackinac Bridge Authority to issue a wind advisory, with some areas recording gusts over 60 mph.
Winds reached more than 40 mph on Oct. 18-19, with Sturgis recording the strongest gust of 61 mph on Saturday, Oct. 18. Breezy conditions are forecast to continue this week with more gale warnings and advisories in place.
“While today (Oct. 20) is expected to feature partly sunny skies and high temperatures in the 50s, rain returns from west to east tonight,” posted the National Weather Service in Gaylord on X on Oct. 20. “Occasionally unsettled, cool and breezy conditions are expected Tuesday (Oct. 21) through at least Thursday (Oct. 22).”
Gale warnings are in place from Manistee to Michigan’s southern border along Lake Michigan’s shoreline.
“South gales to 35 knots (40 mph) expected this afternoon and evening (Oct. 20),” the NWS said. “Northwest gales to 40 knots (46 mph) expected Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 21) through Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 22).”
There are small craft advisories across the Great Lakes shorelines because of winds up to 46 mph creating high waves. From St Joseph to Manistee will experience 10-foot waves.
Winds were strong enough on Sunday that the Mackinac Bridge Authority issued a high wind advisory and limited high-profile vehicles to 20 mph. The advisory was lifted Monday morning.
Here’s a list of wind speeds observed in cities around Michigan over the weekend.
How windy was it Sunday in Michigan?
Here are the wind speeds recorded Oct. 18-19, according to the National Weather Service:
- Sturgis (1 mile NW): highest wind gust of 61 mph.
- Kalamazoo: highest wind speed of 29 mph; highest wind gust of 44 mph.
- Open water of Lake Michigan near Escanaba: highest wind gust of 44 mph.
- Frankfort: highest wind gust of 43 mph.
- Lansing: highest wind speed of 24 mph; highest wind gust of 40 mph.
- Leland (1 mile NNE): highest wind gust of 41 mph.
- Manistique (2 miles ENE): highest wind gust of 40 mph.
- Munising: highest wind gust of 40 mph.
- Grand Marais: highest wind gust of 40 mph.
- Muskegon: highest wind speed of 28 mph; highest wind gust of 39 mph.
- Holland: highest wind speed of 23 mph; highest wind gust of 38 mph.
- Bay Mills (4 miles NNW): highest wind gust of 38 mph.
- Cedarville: highest wind gust of 38 mph.
- Northport (7 miles NNE): highest wind gust of 38 mph.
- Detroit: highest wind speed of 25 mph; highest wind gust of 37 mph.
- Grand Rapids: highest wind speed of 26 mph; highest wind gust of 37 mph.
- Sault Ste. Marie: highest wind speed of 23 mph; highest wind gust of 37 mph.
- Battle Creek: highest wind speed of 24 mph; highest wind gust of 36 mph.
- Jackson: highest wind speed of 20 mph; highest wind gust of 35 mph.
- Houghton Lake: highest wind speed of 21 mph; highest wind gust of 33 mph.
- Saginaw: highest wind speed of 24 mph; highest wind gust of 33 mph.
- Flint: highest wind speed of 25 mph; highest wind gust of 32 mph.
- Alpena: highest wind speed of 16 mph; highest wind gust of 29 mph.
- Traverse City: highest wind speed of 18 mph; highest wind gust of 27 mph.
Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@lsj.com
