Waves Lash Duluth's Waterfront As Storm Howls Over Lake Superior
By Photojournalist Kris Berg
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Despite warnings to stay away, a weather spectacle on Lake Superior drew dozens of daredevils Wednesday night.
Waves up to 16 feet crashed ashore along Duluth's lake walk. Debris litters the sidewalks and shore along a normally bustling waterfront. And giant waves fill the canal where freighters typically come to port.
As day turned to night, comfort and safety took a back seat for college students drawn by social media.
"We saw some snaps of the water and the waves, so we're all done with our homework and school and stuff so we decided to come down and check it out for ourselves," said one student.
"These waves? They're gnarly, dude!" said another student.
Weather officials say the storm is producing sustained northeast winds of 30 to 40 knots, with wind gusts up to 55 knots. Waves have been recorded between 16- and 20-feet high.
WCCO Meteorologist Chris Shaffer says all the strong winds have been wrapping around a very strong low-pressure center. It will still be very windy during the overnight and into Thursday, but should move out by late in the day.