Dense Marine Fog Alert for Minnesota’s Lake Superior Region Through 9 A.M. Friday

If you happen to be in spitting distance of Lake Superior’s Western shore Thursday evening or early Friday morning, pay attention to this advice. The National Weather Service issued a dense marine fog warning warning of visibility being greatly diminished through 9 a.m. Friday – a hazard that very well might befall someone on the lake or traveling on lakeshore roads.

This is not an ordinary morning fog. This is dense, tenacious, and can drastically cut visibility to under a quarter of a mile in virtually every region. To boat owners, anglers, or even lakefront residents headed into town, the fog poses a serious safety threat. If you’re piloting a boat on the lake or driving on the shoreline, the word is: slow down, turn on your lights, and be attentive.

What’s Causing the Fog?

It’s the warm lake water combined with mild wet air moving over the surface that’s creating this dense fog. It’s the old recipe for Great Lakes sea fog, particularly in early spring when air temperatures start to rise but the lakes are behind.

As that warmer air flows over those cold lake surfaces, it rapidly condenses. That condensing causes the air’s water content to freeze into tiny water droplets that adhere close to the surface – forming thick fog like this.

And since this is a sea fog situation, it does not remain over a limited number of low areas along the coast. Rather, it covers great expanses of open water and the adjacent surrounding regions immediately near it, so it is most dangerous for sea traffic.

Timeline and Area of Impact

The fog started to thicken late Thursday night and will continue through the overnight hours into early Friday, with conditions slowly improving after 9 a.m. The advisory area is Western Lake Superior, impacting ports, harbors, and surrounding communities.

Mariners who venture out before sunrise and cargo ships transiting the area will be more at risk, particularly before daylight and when visibility is further reduced.

Even if you’re not out on the lake, the fog may move in far enough to influence highways and home communities near the lake shoreline. Motorists traveling on such roads as Highway 61 from Duluth and other roads which traverse the shores of the lake ought to have high gear to tackle their early morning commute.

What About the Rest of Minnesota?

While thick fog is the main concern in the Lake Superior region, the rest of the state also has its own set of interesting weather to contend with. Out in the Red River Valley and East Grand Forks, there are windy conditions moving by.

North winds will be blowing at 7 to 17 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph possible Thursday night, according to the National Weather Service in Grand Forks. It will remain blustery Friday afternoon, which will be a blustery day in northwest Minnesota.

The windy weather comes after a first rain shower, with rain letting up around 2 p.m. Don’t look for sunshine immediately, though – clouds will persist all the way through Friday, making everything gloomy and gray over the weekend.

Precautions and Safety Tips

For those who live near the lake or plan to cross or travel along it, the most important thing to do is remain vigilant. Weather alerts within the area, marine weather warnings, and navigation updates will be available.

While driving early in the morning on Friday, turn on your headlights – even during the day and brake slowly. Do not employ high beams when driving through fog; they reflect off the water droplets and can create worse visibility.

For ships and fishing vessels, radar and GPS aids to navigation will be useful as visibility reduces. Foghorns or bells make if needed, and proceed shoreward if able.

In East Grand Forks and nearby neighborhoods where wind is the greatest concern, secure loose outside objects like trash cans, lawn mowers, and patio furniture. A 30 mph gust can send them flying through the air or over. If you travel in an RV or truck, which is a high-profile vehicle, be very careful on bridges or open roads where crosswinds can make steering difficult.

Weekend Relief

The better news? Help is on the way. While Thursday and Friday are on track to provide typical examples of finicky spring weather in Minnesota, the weekend is looking considerably more pleasant.

By Saturday, skies will begin to clear and sunshine will make a return. Temperatures are expected to rise into the low 50s to mid-60s, offering a much-needed reprieve from the damp and windy stretch we’re currently dealing with.

So, while Friday morning may start with thick fog in the east and gusty winds in the west, we’re looking at a brighter, calmer weekend ahead. It’s just one of those classic spring transitions in the Upper Midwest – moody, dramatic, and always keeping us on our toes.

Blustery winds and dense fog over the lake are not weather for the headlines, but both can pose a threat, especially to travelers and workers along the lake. From visibility being reduced on Lake Superior to wind advisories in East Grand Forks, Friday morning will necessitate patience, caution, and a bit of extra attention.

So if you’re at sea, on the highway, or merely running the morning errands take it easy, stay safe, and watch the skies.