Lake Michigan, 2021

Marine Thunderstorm Winds in Lake Michigan, September 20, 2021

September 20, 2021 · NWS GRB · 2 events in 2 counties and zones

Strong thunderstorms developed ahead of a cold front tracking through the western Great Lakes during the evening hours. The strong storms brought gusty winds as they tracked over the bay of Green Bay and Lake Michigan nearshore waters.

Where it happened

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

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
2

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 GRB wrote it up.

Strong thunderstorms developed ahead of a cold front tracking through the western Great Lakes during the evening hours. The strong storms brought gusty winds as they tracked over the bay of Green Bay and Lake Michigan nearshore waters.

The radar

The Green Bay radar (KGRB), 70 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 04:37 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

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

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Green Bay South From Cedar River Mi to Rock Island Passage and North From Oconto Wi to Little Sturgeon Bay Wi

When
September 20, 10:36 PM CST to 10:37 PM CST
Where
Green Bay South From Cedar River Mi to Rock Island Passage and North From Oconto Wi to Little Sturgeon Bay Wi forecast zone, 10.9 mi ESE of Peshtigo Point
Measured
34 kt (39 mph) measured gust
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
44.915, -87.451

Thunderstorms produced a wind gust to 34 knots at the Door County Cherryland Airport in Sturgeon Bay.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind, Rock Island Passage to Sturgeon Bay Wi

When
September 20, 10:40 PM CST to 10:41 PM CST
Where
Rock Island Passage to Sturgeon Bay Wi forecast zone, 6.31 mi ESE of Sturgeon Bay
Measured
34 kt (39 mph) measured gust
Reported by
AWOS
Coordinates
44.809, -87.255

Thunderstorms produced a wind gust to 34 knots at the Door County Cherryland Airport in Sturgeon Bay.

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 Michigan in 2021Every state in 2021This 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: 975366, 975368.