Lake Superior, 2019Marine 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.
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
- 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.
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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</html>Hazardous weather outlook, Aug 27, 4:49 AM EST, 9 hours 42 minutes before
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Local storm report, Aug 27, 12:36 PM EST, 1 hour 55 minutes before
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</html>Special weather statement, Aug 27, 12:42 PM EST, 1 hour 49 minutes before
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</html>Special weather statement, Aug 27, 1:16 PM EST, 1 hour 15 minutes before
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</html>Local storm report, Aug 27, 2:08 PM EST, 23 minutes before
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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.
- Waterspout
- A tornado over water. One that moves ashore is filed as a tornado from the coastline on.
- Marine Hail
- Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger over water.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
- Heat in Arizona, August 27, 20191 death · 1 event
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Michigan, August 27, 2019$34,000 · 55 kt wind · 23 events
- Hail in Texas, August 27, 2019$50,000 · 1.75 in hail · 6 events
- Damaging Winds in Alabama, August 27, 201950 kt wind · 18 events
- Heat in California, August 27, 201915 events
- Drought in Texas, August 27 to 31, 20196 events
- Hail and Damaging Winds in Texas, August 27, 2019$5,000 · 1 in hail · 5 events
- Marine Thunderstorm Winds and Waterspout in Lake Superior, August 27, 201960 kt wind · 4 events
- Flash Flood and Hail in New Mexico, August 27, 20191 in hail · 4 events
- Marine Thunderstorm Winds in Lake Michigan, August 27, 20193 events
- Waterspout in South Atlantic Coastal Waters, August 27, 20192 events
- Marine Thunderstorm Winds in Lake Michigan, August 27, 20192 events
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.