Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Empire, MI

DISCUSSION
Issued at 312 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2026

Broad mid-level ridging and associated surface pressure remain in control to start the period, supporting another quiet and dry day across northern Michigan. This ridge will steadily shift east through tonight as the next shortwave tracks across the Upper Great Lakes, sending a weak cold front toward the region.
Dry weather should persist through much of today with breezy to gusty southwesterly winds and increasing clouds arriving later in the day ahead of the approaching system. There remains a chance that a broken line of of showers and perhaps isolated thunderstorms develops and reaches eastern Upper and portions of northern Lake Michigan late this afternoon into the evening along and just ahead of the front. Instability remains rather limited, while the stronger deep-layer shear appears to remain displaced farther west. As a result, organized or severe convection is not anticipated. Shower coverage is expected to gradually increase tonight as deeper moisture spreads into northern Michigan and upper-level forcing strengthens. While the best instability will be lacking due to the more nocturnal timing of the frontal passage, saturated profiles through the column will support periods of moderate to heavy rainfall within the more persistent showers. The slow east-southeast progression of the front may allow localized higher rainfall totals.

Rain chances continue into Wednesday night, although the better coverage should gradually shift toward northeast Lower early before retreating toward the Saginaw Bay region and farther south through the afternoon/ evening. Localized heavier rainfall remains possible through Wednesday with WPC continuing to highlight the region in a Marginal Risk for Excessive Rainfall.
Temperatures will also trend a bit cooler Wednesday behind the front, aided by increased cloud cover and precipitation.

The latter half of the week looks considerably quieter as cooler air works into the Great Lakes beneath broad cyclonic flow aloft. Although no particularity strong systems are evident, subtle waves rotating through the upper-level trough may be enough to support occasional low-end shower chances from time to time. However, many locations look to experience extended dry periods between any passing disturbances.
Temperatures are expected to remain close to early August normals through the remainder of the week, with a slight warming trend possible heading into he weekend.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z WEDNESDAY/
Issued at 643 AM EDT Tue Aug 4 2026

VFR aviation weather conditions expected for the first half of the 12Z TAF valid time with minimal cloud cover anticipated.
Then, expect conditions to slowly degrade to MVFR as a cold front and associated showers/storms start to work their way across northern Michigan. Gusty southwest winds will develop today, before trending more light/variable as the cold front pushes in.

APX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
MI...Beach Hazards Statement through this evening for MIZ024-095.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from 11 AM this morning to 8 PM EDT this evening for LHZ345.
Small Craft Advisory from 2 PM this afternoon to 11 PM EDT this evening for LHZ348-349.
Small Craft Advisory until 11 PM EDT this evening for LMZ323- 341-342-344>346.