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Waves in Lake Michigan could hit 25 feet during today's storm

Waves in Lake Michigan
screen grab from YouTube video
Big waves on Lake Michigan in 2007.

Lake Michigan may have waves measuring up to 25 feet tall today and tonight due to the winter storm that’s currently hitting the state.

On Wednesday, the National Weather Service for Lake Michigan issued a marine storm warning, which warns of winds of 48 to 53 knots. The service has also issued storm warnings across the state, cautioning difficulties with traveling, potential power outages, and potential school or event closures spanning from Wednesday to Thursday.

Large waves are expected to be 20 feet, with occasional waves hitting 25 feet.

The marine storm warning requests that recreational boat users stay at port and commercial boats should prepare for harsh conditions, or stay at port as well.

Credit Screengrab from weather.gov/grr

  These wave heights could compare to the heights of the 25.5-foot waves in Lake Superior that sunk the SS Edmund Fitzgerald on Nov. 10, 1975.  The Fitzgerald was the largest ship to have ever been lost in the Great Lakes (more herefrom Michigan Radio's Sarah Cwiek).

Across the state, the National Weather Service warns that there will be about 12 inches of snow in the north, and closer to 7 to 10 inches of snow in the south. The service also says visibility can be as low as a quarter of a mile during the heaviest snow periods.

The advisory lasts until Thursday at 4 p.m.

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