Explanation of Marine Terms

Marine Warnings

• Small Craft Advisory-

  This is a marine advisory that directly corresponds with the near shore waters. A small craft advisory will be issued if a waves within five nautical miles of shore are expected to be four feet or greater.

• Gale Warning-

  Typically Gale Warnings are issued during the fall and winter months. A Gale Warning is necessary if winds are expected to be between 35 and 49 knots for a period greater than two hours.

• Storm Warning-

  Storm Warnings are the most feared warning for mariners on the Great Lakes. Winds will be in excess of 50 knots and waves will usually be larger than 10 feet.

• Special Marine Warning-

  These warnings are issued for all the parts of Lake Erie . Winds gusting over 34 knots for less than two hours will prompt this warning.





• Marine Forecasts

  • Nearshore Forecast-

    This forecast applies to the waters within 5 nautical miles of shore. These forecasts are traditionally issued from April 1 to October 31. If the weather remains peaceful into the later fall months, Nearshore Forecasts may be extended until a later date. Nearshore Forecasts are issued 4 times a day. Three offices issue Near Shore Forecasts for Lake Erie including: Cleveland, Oh, Detroit, MI, and Buffalo, NY.

  • Open Waters Forecast-

    This forecast is for beyond 5 nautical miles from shore. Only the Cleveland Forecast Office will issue the Open Waters Forecast for all of the U.S. waters of Lake Erie. Enviromental Canada will issue an Open Waters forecast for the Canadian waters of Lake Erie. Open Waters Forecasts are issued 4 times a day, 365 days a year.

  
  
  

• Special Products

  • Great Lakes Synopsis-

    These are issued twice every day. Their purpose is to summarize explain the movement of weather systems such as highs, lows and fronts that will affect the Great Lakes are within the next 36 hours.

  • Great Lakes Storm Summary-

    Great Lakes Storm Summary are issued every 6 hours when winds of 50 knots or higher are expected on one of the Great Lakes for 12 hours or more.

  • Great Lakes Ice/Freeze-up/Break-up Outlooks-

    These are issued once a day from the fall until the spring. They are issued to keep mariners informed of the ice conditions on the Great Lakes. (Buffalo is in charge of issuing statements for Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence Seaway).