Lake Superior, 2019

Marine Thunderstorm Winds and Waterspout in Lake Superior, August 27, 2019

August 27, 2019 · NWS MQT · 26 events in 7 counties and zones

A cold front moving through a moist and unstable air mass generated strong to severe thunderstorms across Lake Superior on the afternoon and evening of the 27th.

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
26

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 MQT wrote it up.

A cold front moving through a moist and unstable air mass generated strong to severe thunderstorms across Lake Superior on the afternoon and evening of the 27th.

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 Marquette, MI wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Aug 27, 1:11 PM EST, 1 hour 20 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Aug 27, 1:11 PM EST, 1 hour 20 minutes before
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Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 27, 4:49 AM EST, 9 hours 42 minutes before
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In the hours before

Local storm report, Aug 27, 12:36 PM EST, 1 hour 55 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Aug 27, 12:42 PM EST, 1 hour 49 minutes before
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Special weather statement, Aug 27, 1:16 PM EST, 1 hour 15 minutes before
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Local storm report, Aug 27, 2:08 PM EST, 23 minutes before
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Local storm report, Aug 27, 2:09 PM EST, 22 minutes before
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Local storm report, Aug 27, 2:31 PM EST, 0 minutes before
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The radar

The Marquette radar (KMQT), 33 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:31 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

24 marine thunderstorm wind, 1 waterspout, 1 marine hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Waterspout, Huron Islands to Marquette Mi

When
August 27, 2:31 PM EST to 2:35 PM EST
Where
Huron Islands to Marquette Mi forecast zone, 2.34 mi SE of Big Bay Point Light
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
46.820, -87.640

A waterspout was observed from the Big Bay Lighthouse.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Huron Islands to Marquette Mi

When
August 27, 2:33 PM EST to 2:38 PM EST
Where
Huron Islands to Marquette Mi forecast zone, 3.4 mi WNW of Marquette Lighthouse
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
46.560, -87.450

There was an estimated thunderstorm wind gust of 60 mph in Marquette.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Marquette to Munising Mi

When
August 27, 2:33 PM EST to 2:38 PM EST
Where
Marquette to Munising Mi forecast zone, 3.4 mi WNW of Marquette Lighthouse
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
46.560, -87.450

There was an estimated thunderstorm wind gust of 60 mph in Marquette.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Manitou Island to Marquette Mi Beyond 5nm From Shore

When
August 27, 2:33 PM EST to 2:38 PM EST
Where
Manitou Island to Marquette Mi Beyond 5nm From Shore forecast zone, 2.47 mi WNW of Marquette
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
46.560, -87.450

There was an estimated thunderstorm wind gust of 60 mph in Marquette.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Manitou Island to Marquette Mi and W of Grand Marais Mi to Us/Canadian Border Beyond 5nm of Shore

When
August 27, 2:33 PM EST to 2:38 PM EST
Where
Manitou Island to Marquette Mi and W of Grand Marais Mi to Us/Canadian Border Beyond 5nm of Shore forecast zone, 2.47 mi WNW of Marquette
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
NWS Employee
Coordinates
46.560, -87.450

There was an estimated thunderstorm wind gust of 60 mph in Marquette.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Huron Islands to Marquette Mi

When
August 27, 2:50 PM EST to 2:55 PM EST
Where
Huron Islands to Marquette Mi forecast zone, Granite Island Light
Measured
38 kt (44 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
46.720, -87.410

Peak thunderstorm wind gust at the Granite Light GLOS station.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Manitou Island to Marquette Mi Beyond 5nm From Shore

When
August 27, 2:50 PM EST to 2:55 PM EST
Where
Manitou Island to Marquette Mi Beyond 5nm From Shore forecast zone, 11.76 mi N of Marquette
Measured
38 kt (44 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
46.720, -87.410

Peak thunderstorm wind gust at the Granite Light GLOS station.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Marquette to Munising Mi

When
August 27, 3:25 PM EST to 3:30 PM EST
Where
Marquette to Munising Mi forecast zone, 0.84 mi SE of Munising
Measured
39 kt (45 mph) measured gust
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
46.410, -86.650

The Munising ASOS measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 45 mph.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Munising to Grand Marais Mi

When
August 27, 3:25 PM EST to 3:30 PM EST
Where
Munising to Grand Marais Mi forecast zone, 3.74 mi SSW of Grand Island Harbor Light
Measured
39 kt (45 mph) measured gust
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
46.410, -86.650

The Munising ASOS measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 45 mph.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Munising to Grand Marais Mi

When
August 27, 3:50 PM EST to 3:55 PM EST
Where
Munising to Grand Marais Mi forecast zone, 0.15 mi SW of Grand Marais Light
Measured
44 kt (51 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
46.679, -85.973

The Grand Marais GLOS station measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 51 mph.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Marais to Whitefish Point Mi

When
August 27, 3:50 PM EST to 3:55 PM EST
Where
Grand Marais to Whitefish Point Mi forecast zone, 0.12 mi WSW of Grand Marais Light
Measured
44 kt (51 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
46.679, -85.972

The Grand Marais GLOS station measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 51 mph.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Manitou Island to Marquette Mi and W of Grand Marais Mi to Us/Canadian Border Beyond 5nm of Shore

When
August 27, 3:50 PM EST to 3:55 PM EST
Where
Manitou Island to Marquette Mi and W of Grand Marais Mi to Us/Canadian Border Beyond 5nm of Shore forecast zone, 0.74 mi NNE of Grand Marais
Measured
44 kt (51 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
46.679, -85.972

The Grand Marais GLOS station measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 51 mph.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Marais Mi to Whitefish Point Mi 5nm Offshore to the Us/Canadian Border

When
August 27, 3:50 PM EST to 3:55 PM EST
Where
Grand Marais Mi to Whitefish Point Mi 5nm Offshore to the Us/Canadian Border forecast zone, 0.75 mi NNE of Grand Marais
Measured
44 kt (51 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
46.679, -85.972

The Grand Marais GLOS station measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 51 mph.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Munising to Grand Marais Mi

When
August 27, 4:20 PM EST to 4:25 PM EST
Where
Munising to Grand Marais Mi forecast zone, 0.12 mi WSW of Grand Marais Light
Measured
37 kt (43 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
46.679, -85.972

The Grand Marais GLOS station measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 43 mph.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Marais to Whitefish Point Mi

When
August 27, 4:20 PM EST to 4:25 PM EST
Where
Grand Marais to Whitefish Point Mi forecast zone, 0.1 mi WSW of Grand Marais Light
Measured
37 kt (43 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
46.680, -85.972

The Grand Marais GLOS station measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 43 mph.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Manitou Island to Marquette Mi and W of Grand Marais Mi to Us/Canadian Border Beyond 5nm of Shore

When
August 27, 4:20 PM EST to 4:25 PM EST
Where
Manitou Island to Marquette Mi and W of Grand Marais Mi to Us/Canadian Border Beyond 5nm of Shore forecast zone, 0.73 mi NNE of Grand Marais
Measured
37 kt (43 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
46.679, -85.972

The Grand Marais GLOS station measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 43 mph.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Marais Mi to Whitefish Point Mi 5nm Offshore to the Us/Canadian Border

When
August 27, 4:20 PM EST to 4:25 PM EST
Where
Grand Marais Mi to Whitefish Point Mi 5nm Offshore to the Us/Canadian Border forecast zone, 0.75 mi NNE of Grand Marais
Measured
37 kt (43 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
46.679, -85.972

The Grand Marais GLOS station measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 43 mph.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Marais to Whitefish Point Mi

When
August 27, 4:58 PM EST to 5:05 PM EST
Where
Grand Marais to Whitefish Point Mi forecast zone, 3.58 mi NNW of Whitefish Point Light
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Mariner
Coordinates
46.820, -84.970

There was a ship report just north of Whitefish Point of a thunderstorm wind gust of 60 mph. Waterspouts were also sighted. The report was relayed via NWS Gaylord and the Sault Ste. Marie Coast Guard.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Marais Mi to Whitefish Point Mi 5nm Offshore to the Us/Canadian Border

When
August 27, 4:58 PM EST to 5:05 PM EST
Where
Grand Marais Mi to Whitefish Point Mi 5nm Offshore to the Us/Canadian Border forecast zone, 8.3 mi N of Whitefish Point Light
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Mariner
Coordinates
46.820, -84.970

There was a ship report just north of Whitefish Point of a thunderstorm wind gust of 60 mph. Waterspouts were also sighted. The report was relayed via NWS Gaylord and the Sault Ste. Marie Coast Guard.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Huron Islands to Marquette Mi

When
August 27, 7:20 PM EST to 7:25 PM EST
Where
Huron Islands to Marquette Mi forecast zone, Granite Island Light
Measured
43 kt (49 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
46.720, -87.410

The Granite Island Light GLOS station measured a peak thunderstorm wind gust of 49 mph.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Manitou Island to Marquette Mi Beyond 5nm From Shore

When
August 27, 7:20 PM EST to 7:25 PM EST
Where
Manitou Island to Marquette Mi Beyond 5nm From Shore forecast zone, 11.76 mi N of Marquette
Measured
43 kt (49 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
46.720, -87.410

The Granite Island Light GLOS station measured a peak thunderstorm wind gust of 49 mph.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Manitou Island to Marquette Mi and W of Grand Marais Mi to Us/Canadian Border Beyond 5nm of Shore

When
August 27, 7:20 PM EST to 7:25 PM EST
Where
Manitou Island to Marquette Mi and W of Grand Marais Mi to Us/Canadian Border Beyond 5nm of Shore forecast zone, 11.76 mi N of Marquette
Measured
43 kt (49 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Mesonet
Coordinates
46.720, -87.410

The Granite Island Light GLOS station measured a peak thunderstorm wind gust of 49 mph.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Manitou Island to Marquette Mi and W of Grand Marais Mi to Us/Canadian Border Beyond 5nm of Shore

When
August 27, 8:00 PM EST to 8:05 PM EST
Where
Manitou Island to Marquette Mi and W of Grand Marais Mi to Us/Canadian Border Beyond 5nm of Shore forecast zone, 1.15 mi SE of Stannard Rock Light
Measured
51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by
C-MAN Station
Coordinates
47.169, -87.212

The Stannard Rock Light station measured a peak thunderstorm wind gust of 59 mph.

Marine Hail, Marquette to Munising Mi

When
August 27, 8:01 PM EST to 8:06 PM EST
Where
Marquette to Munising Mi forecast zone, 2.75 mi ESE of Shot Point
Measured
0.88 in hail
Reported by
Public
Coordinates
46.490, -87.120

Nickel-sized hail was reported just west of the Marquette-Alger county line.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Manitou Island to Marquette Mi and W of Grand Marais Mi to Us/Canadian Border Beyond 5nm of Shore

When
August 27, 8:40 PM EST to 8:45 PM EST
Where
Manitou Island to Marquette Mi and W of Grand Marais Mi to Us/Canadian Border Beyond 5nm of Shore forecast zone, 41.25 mi NE of Stannard Rock Light
Measured
37 kt (43 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Buoy
Coordinates
47.560, -86.550

The eastern Lake Superior buoy measured a peak thunderstorm wind gust of 43 mph.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Grand Marais Mi to Whitefish Point Mi 5nm Offshore to the Us/Canadian Border

When
August 27, 8:40 PM EST to 8:45 PM EST
Where
Grand Marais Mi to Whitefish Point Mi 5nm Offshore to the Us/Canadian Border forecast zone, 36.92 mi WNW of Caribou Island
Measured
37 kt (43 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Buoy
Coordinates
47.560, -86.550

The eastern Lake Superior buoy measured a peak thunderstorm wind gust of 43 mph.

What these are

Waterspout
A tornado over water. One that moves ashore is filed as a tornado from the coastline on.
Marine Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm winds of 34 knots or more over coastal or lake waters.
Marine Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger over water.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Lake Superior in 2019Every state in 2019This 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: 852012, 852014, 852016, 852018, 852019, 852006, 852007, 852100, 852101, 852103, 852104, 852106, 852107, 852110, 852112, 852113, 852114, 853043, 853044, 853052, 853053, 853054, 853050, 853048, 853055, 853056.