Winds Expected To Whip Up Dangerous Waves On Lake Michigan
Updated 07/14/15 - 12:49 p.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago might finally be getting ideal beach weather, but forecasters were warning people to stay out of Lake Michigan from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning, due to high waves expected along the lakefront.
The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazards statement from 4 p.m. Tuesday through Wednesday morning for the lakefront in Illinois and northwest Indiana. Forecasters said there is a high swim risk, meaning life-threatening waves and currents are expected.
According to the National Weather Service, beach winds of 10 to 15 mph were expected Tuesday afternoon, with gusts of up to 30 mph, creating waves 3 to 5 feet high.
That has created a high swim risk for the entire southern end of Lake Michigan, from about 13 miles north of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, down through all of the lakefront in Illinois and Indiana, and up to about 80 miles north of Muskegon, Michigan.
The National Weather Service said beach visitors should check all posted signs regarding swimming conditions before entering the water.
While swim advisories were issued for at least 13 beaches in Chicago early Tuesday afternoon, due to bacteria levels, no swim bans had yey been issued by the Chicago Park District. Anyone visiting the beaches should visit the Chicago Park District beaches website for the latest swimming conditions, or check the flags on the lakefront – a green flag means no restrictions, a yellow flag means a swim advisory (swimmers should use extra caution), and a red flag means swimming is banned.
Waves were expected to calm by Thursday, with a low swim risk for the end of the week.