Unusual summer windstorm to create dangerous waves, possible flooding around Great Lakes

An unusually potent storm for late August will cause gusty winds and rough waters around the Great Lakes region through the middle of the week.

The same storm responsible for severe weather and flooding to start the week over the Midwest has departed the Upper Midwest.

However, gusty winds more typical of storms during October and November will stir the waters on the Great Lakes in its wake.

Winds averaging 15-30 mph with gusts to 40 mph are forecast.

Where winds blow across the long portions of the lakes, waves on the downwind side can be especially rough. It is along the shoreline of these downwind areas where the greatest risk of overwash and lakeshore flooding will exist.

For example, waves on the southern end of Lake Michigan are likely to range between 6 and 10 feet. Waves on the northeastern end of Lake Erie may reach 6 feet.

In addition to the risk of large waves, gusty winds and lakeshore flooding, waterspouts may form on some of the lower Great Lakes through Wednesday.

Bathers and boaters should use extreme caution in the rough conditions through Wednesday. There will be better days for fishing and swimming this week, such as Friday and Saturday.

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