Active Weather Alerts
Special Marine Warning
Issued: 8:12 PM Jul. 4, 2026 – National Weather Service
The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued a * Special Marine Warning for... Nearshore Waters from Winthrop Harbor to Calumet Harbor... Nearshore Waters from Calumet Harbor to Michigan City... Open Waters from Winthrop Harbor to Michigan City out to Mid Lake... * Until 615 PM CDT. * At 312 PM CDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Elgin, or 23 nm west of Wilmette Harbor, moving east at 15 knots approaching Lake Michigan. HAZARD...Wind gusts to 40 knots. SOURCE...Radar. IMPACT...Small craft could be damaged in briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves. * Locations impacted include... Harrison-Dever Crib, Wilmette Harbor, 31st Street Harbor, Monroe Harbor, Burns Harbor, Calumet Harbor, Indiana Harbor, Montrose Harbor, Burnham Harbor, Hammond Marina, Jackson Park Harbor, and Belmont Harbor. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Move to safe harbor immediately as gusty winds and high waves are expected. Frequent lightning is occurring with this storm. If caught on the open water stay below deck if possible, keep away from ungrounded metal objects. && HAIL...0.00IN; WIND...40KTS
Special Marine Warning
Issued: 6:45 PM Jul. 4, 2026 – National Weather Service
...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE WATERS THIS AFTERNOON... The areas affected include... Nearshore Waters from Winthrop Harbor to Calumet Harbor... Nearshore Waters from Calumet Harbor to Michigan City... Open Waters from Winthrop Harbor to Michigan City out to Mid Lake... At 140 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated a strong thunderstorm, capable of producing winds to around 30 knots. This thunderstorm was located over Montrose Harbor, moving northeast at 20 knots. Additional isolated thunderstorms were located developing near a lake breeze just inland of the lake. Finally, a line of thunderstorms near the Interstate 39 corridor is expected to approach and move over the lake later this afternoon, after 3 to 4 PM or so. Locations impacted include... Harrison-Dever Crib, Wilmette Harbor, 31st Street Harbor, Monroe Harbor, Burns Harbor, Calumet Harbor, Winthrop Harbor, Indiana Harbor, Montrose Harbor, Waukegan Harbor, Burnham Harbor, and Hammond Marina. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Mariners can expect gusty winds to around 30 knots, locally higher waves, and lightning strikes. Boaters should seek safe harbor immediately until these storms pass. A special marine warning may eventually be required when the line of thunderstorms off to the west approaches the nearshore waters this afternoon. Stay updated for possible special marine warning issuance. &&
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Issued: 5:33 PM Jul. 4, 2026 – National Weather Service
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 455 IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS THIS WATCH INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ADJACENT COASTAL WATERS WINTHROP HARBOR TO WILMETTE HARBOR IL WILMETTE HARBOR TO NORTHERLY ISLAND IL NORTHERLY ISLAND TO CALUMET HARBOR IL CALUMET HARBOR IL TO GARY IN GARY TO BURNS HARBOR IN BURNS HARBOR TO MICHIGAN CITY IN
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