Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Stronach, MI

DISCUSSION
Issued at 315 AM EDT Wed Mar 18 2026

A cold airmass remains in place across the region with most temperatures sitting in the single digits to teens and wind chills sitting on either side below zero. Winds have shifted south to south- southwest early this morning as a weak disturbance slides through the region and looks to provide enough lift and moisture to support getting lake responses going again this morning. However, this time favoring areas across far western Mackinaw County and along the lake Michigan shoreline from southern Leelanau towards Manistee County. Most areas across northern Michigan will see an inch or less, with minimal impacts, but areas along the Lake Michigan shoreline could see higher amounts of a 1-2 inches, with 1-3 inches across far western Mackinac County (with locally higher 4" possible)
and 1-2 inches across the rest of eastern Upper through today.
Winds will also increase through the day (gusts 20-25 mph by the afternoon), making for areas of patchy blowing snow possible, especially in the aformentioned favored areas. Winds will decrease through the evening into tonight while gradually turning northwest for Thursday.

Looking ahead, the overall pattern begins to relax as we move through midweek and beyond, with upstream ridging gradually building east into the Great Lakes. That said, we remain along the ridge/trough interface with lingering northwest flow aloft, allowing weak fast-moving shortwaves to continue passing through at times. This will support periodic chances for light precipitation through the end of the work week into the weekend.

The bigger story continues to be the moderating temperature trend. With the cooler airmass retreating, highs rebound above freezing Thursday and continue to moderate into Friday with highs in the upper 30s across eastern Upper and low to mid 40s across northern Lower. This will be a welcomed change, especially for ongoing ice storm recovery efforts. Temperatures ease back just a bit later this weekend, but still remain above freezing during the day (with the exception of eastern Upper sitting in the low 30s) with highs largely in the mid to upper 30s. In all, a quieter and more manageable stretch of weather is expected heading into the weekend, with occasional light precipitation chances and a continued overall trend toward more seasonable mid-March conditions.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY/
Issued at 626 AM EDT Wed Mar 18 2026

Light snow showers return to parts of northern Michigan today, especially along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Drops to MVFR/IFR VSBYs will be possible at mbL at times this morning. MVFR CIGs are expected to gradually spread from west to east today, working into APN by late afternoon/evening. Further lowering to IFR is possible across interior areas overnight, but is not explicitly included at any TAF sites at this time. Otherwise, south winds will increase this morning to 10-15 kts with gusts to around 25 kts through this afternoon before weakening and turning westerly with time tonight.

APX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
MI...None.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 11 PM EDT this evening for LHZ345>349.
Small Craft Advisory until 11 PM EDT this evening for LMZ323- 341-342-344>346.
Small Craft Advisory until 11 PM EDT this evening for LSZ321- 322.