GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (June 30, 2014) — The National Weather Service has issued a Beach Hazards Statement through Tuesday evening, indicating that conditions will be dangerous for swimming at Lake Michigan beaches over the next couple of days.
This is especially noteworthy considering that hot, humid weather will likely send many people flocking to the lakeshore. Here is the text of the statement from the NWS:
“…BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING…
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND RAPIDS HAS ISSUED A BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT FOR DANGEROUS SWIMMING CONDITIONS…WHICH IS IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING.
HIGH WAVE ACTION…STRONG CURRENTS AND DANGEROUS SWIMMING CONDITIONS EXPECTED. STRONG STRUCTURAL CURRENTS EXPECTED. STRONG LONGSHORE CURRENTS EXPECTED. RIP CURRENTS POSSIBLE.
LOCATION…BEACHES FROM ST. JOSEPH TO MANISTEE
BEACHES WITH PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS TODAY INCLUDE… SOUTH BEACH IN SOUTH HAVEN… GRAND HAVEN STATE PARK… PERE MARQUETTE PARK IN MUSKEGON.
OVERVIEW/POTENTIAL IMPACTS…GUSTY SOUTHWEST WINDS AND WAVES OF 3 TO 4 FEET ARE EXPECTED TODAY. WINDS AND WAVES MAY DECREASE SLIGHTLY MONDAY NIGHT…BUT WILL INCREASE AND BECOME HAZARDOUS AGAIN ON TUESDAY.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… HIGH WAVE ACTION MAKES SWIMMING DIFFICULT AND CAN TIRE EVEN A STRONG SWIMMER QUICKLY. STRUCTURAL CURRENTS FORM ALONG PIERS WHERE LONGSHORE CURRENTS AND WAVE ACTION FLOW INTO THE STRUCTURE.
STRUCTURAL CURRENTS CAN SWEEP YOU OUT INTO DEEPER WATER ALONG THE PIER STRUCTURE. A LONGSHORE CURRENT IS A LAKE CURRENT THAT MOVES PARALLEL TO SHORE.
LONGSHORE CURRENTS CAN BE STRONG ENOUGH TO PREVENT SWIMMERS FROM BEING ABLE TO KEEP THEIR FEET ON THE BOTTOM… MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO RETURN TO SHORE.
RIP CURRENTS ARE POWERFUL CHANNELS OF WATER FLOWING QUICKLY AWAY FROM SHORE…WHICH OCCUR MOST OFTEN AT LOW SPOTS OR BREAKS IN SANDBARS. RIP CURRENTS CAN SWEEP YOU INTO DEEPER WATER.”
We’ll be sure to highlight the danger on FOX 17 News throughout the next couple of days in order to keep you informed. Pay attention to changing conditions and respect the orders of local authorities. Click onto the Weather page for the full forecast. Click here for the NWS Beach Forecast page.
