Covert, MI Severe Weather Alertstar_ratehome

...STRONG THUNDERSTORMS APPROACHING THE WATERS...

The areas affected include...
Nearshore and Open Waters from St Joseph to Grand Haven MI...

At 429 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms, capable
of producing winds to around 30 knots. These thunderstorms were
located along a line extending from near Waukegan Harbor to near
Midway Airport to 16 nm southwest of Hammond Marina, moving northeast
at 30 knots.

Strong thunderstorms will remain over mainly open waters.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Mariners can expect gusty winds to around 40 knots, locally higher
waves, and lightning strikes. Boaters should seek safe harbor
immediately until these storms pass.

A special marine warning will likely be required when these storms
reach the nearshore waters.
&&

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM THURSDAY TO
2 AM EDT FRIDAY...

* WHAT...Winds becoming northwest and then north tonight
increasing to 15 to 30 knots. Waves will build to 4 to 7 feet
overnight and continue at those heights through Thursday.

* WHERE...St Joseph to Manistee.

* WHEN...From 2 AM Thursday to 2 AM EDT Friday.

* IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Low pressure will sweep through the area
tonight with northerly winds increasing in the wake of the low
over Lake Michigan. Waves will build to 4 to 7 feet by
Thursday morning.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller
vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.

&&

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH
LATE THURSDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...High wave action, strong currents, and dangerous swimming
conditions expected. Piers will be heavily swamped by waves.
Waves 4 to 6 feet.

* WHERE...In Indiana, Northern La Porte county. In Michigan,
Berrien county.

* WHEN...From late tonight through late Thursday night.

* IMPACTS...Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water
and high waves can sweep people off piers.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions.
Do not venture out on piers.

&&

...AIR QUALITY ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY JULY 16th...


The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
(EGLE) has declared an Air Quality Advisory for Tuesday July 15 and
Wednesday July 16, for elevated levels of ozone and fine particulate
(PM2.5) in parts of southwest Michigan. Pollutants within those
areas are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG,
Orange AQI) range.

The Air Quality Advisory is in effect for the following counties in
southwest Michigan...

Berrien and Cass

Wildfire smoke may trigger elevated particulates and ozone levels.

It is recommended that, when possible, you stay indoors and keep
time outdoors short and avoid strenuous activities, especially those
with respiratory diseases such as asthma.

Recommendations to reduce pollution and potential health effects:

PM 2.5:
* Reduce or eliminate outdoor burning, and the use of residential
wood burning devices;
* Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting
indoors, and, if possible, run central air conditioning with MERV-
13 or higher rated filters.

Ozone:
* Using gas-powered lawn equipment;
* Driving less or delaying and/or combining errands;
* Refueling less or topping off when refueling.

For up-to-date air quality data for Michigan visit the MiAir site:
https://air-egle.hub.arcgis.com/

For up-to-date air quality data nationally visit EPA's Air Now site:
https://www.airnow.gov/

For further health information, please see MDHHS's Wildfire Smoke
and You Health site:
https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/environmental-
health/your-health-and-wildfire-smoke