Lake Superior, 2018

Marine Thunderstorm Wind in Lake Superior, May 30, 2018

May 30, 2018 · NWS DLH · 1 event in 1 county or zone

A very moist air mass was in place as an upper-level low moved into the region. Storms were ongoing and moving into the unstable region as they headed over Lake Superior.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
1

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS DLH wrote it up.

A very moist air mass was in place as an upper-level low moved into the region. Storms were ongoing and moving into the unstable region as they headed over Lake Superior.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Duluth, MN wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 29, 5:42 PM CST, 14 hours 18 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 29, 5:42 PM CST, 14 hours 18 minutes before
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Hazardous weather outlook, May 29, 1:19 PM CST, 18 hours 41 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Duluth MN
219 PM CDT Tue May 29 2018

MNZ010>012-018>021-025-026-033>038-WIZ001>004-006>009-301030-
Koochiching-North St. Louis-Northern Cook/Northern Lake-
North Itasca-Central St. Louis-Southern Lake/North Shore-
Southern Cook/North Shore-North Cass-South Itasca-South Cass-
Crow Wing-Northern Aitkin-South Aitkin-Carlton/South St. Louis-
Pine-Douglas-Bayfield-Ashland-Iron-Burnett-Washburn-Sawyer-Price-
219 PM CDT Tue May 29 2018

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast
Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and Tonight

Thunderstorms will develop across the Northland this afternoon
into this evening. Storms will develop first over central and
north central Minnesota and spread east overnight. Some of the
storms may be severe, with damaging wind and large hail the main
threats. Heavy rain will also be possible as storms track over
the same area. The severe threat will be greatest over far
northwest Wisconsin into much of northern Minnesota and continue
into late evening.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

There is a chance of thunderstorms Wednesday through Thursday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Skywarn Spotters may be needed this afternoon into this evening.

LSZ121-140>148-301030-
Bayfield to Oak Point WI-Grand Portage to Grand Marais MN-
Grand Marais to Taconite Harbor MN-
Taconite Harbor to Silver Bay Harbor MN-
Silver Bay Harbor to Two Harbors MN-Two Harbors to Duluth MN-
Duluth MN to Port Wing WI-Port Wing to Sand Island WI-
Sand Island to Bayfield WI-Oak Point to Saxon Harbor WI-
219 PM CDT Tue May 29 2018

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of the Nearshore
waters of western Lake Superior.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and Tonight

Thunderstorms are possible over western Lake Superior this
evening and overnight. An isolated severe storm is possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday

Periods of thunderstorms are possible Wednesday through Thursday.

Strong east to northeast flow will likely develop Friday and
Saturday morning. The winds and resulting waves could cause
hazardous conditions for small craft.

Melde/JTS

More information may be obtained at the following web address:
http://www.weather.gov/duluth (all lower case)

The radar

The Duluth radar (KDLH), 116 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 13:58 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

1 marine thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Sand Is to Bayfield Wi

When
May 30, 8:00 AM CST
Where
Sand Is to Bayfield Wi forecast zone, Devils Island Lighthouse Station Disw3
Measured
44 kt (51 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Buoy
Coordinates
47.080, -90.730

What these are

Marine Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm winds of 34 knots or more over coastal or lake waters.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Lake Superior in 2018Every state in 2018This day in weather history

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 757380.