National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Critical Fire Weather Conditions in the Plains; Heavy Snow in the Sierra and Northern Rockies

Gusty winds and warm, very dry conditions will lead to a Critical Risk of fire weather across much of the High Plains through Thursday. A Pacific storm system will bring strong winds and precipitation from the Pacific Northwest to the Northern Rockies, with heavy mountain snow in the Sierra-Nevada and northern Rockies. Heavy snow will continue in the northern Rockies on Thursday. Read More >

Water levels on Lake Michigan are the highest in nearly 20 years. Levels were above normal for most of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Starting around 1999, water levels fell below normal and remained that way until 2014. When venturing to the lakeshore this fall...remember that high water means less pier above the water line and waves can overtop the piers much easier. Stay dry when waves are high. Piers are not a safe spot in storms or high waves. Avoid piers during high winds, high waves and storms. If viewing waves this fall, do it from the safety of your car or well up the beach away from the water line.