The entire southern shoreline of Lake Michigan — from Chicago’s lakefront beaches to the resort communities of southwestern Michigan — is under Beach Hazards Statements today, as 4 to 6 foot waves and powerful longshore currents create life-threatening conditions across hundreds of miles of one of America’s most popular summer beach destinations.
Chicago Beaches: 4 to 6 Feet, Life-Threatening Conditions
The most densely populated section of the warning zone is Chicago itself. The National Weather Service in Chicago has a Beach Hazards Statement through late tonight for Lake County and Lake-facing portions of Cook County — covering Chicago’s entire lakefront, Evanston, Wilmette, Waukegan and the North Shore. Waves of 4 to 6 feet are expected with dangerous currents.
“Swimming conditions will be life threatening, especially for inexperienced swimmers,” the Chicago NWS office stated. The agency warned that no one should venture onto piers, jetties, breakwalls or other shoreline structures. Chicago Park District beach advisories and closures can be checked in real time at cpdbeaches.com — check before you go, as individual beaches may be closed by lifeguard staff.
Wisconsin: Racine and Kenosha Face Life-Threatening Waves
The NWS Milwaukee office issued a Beach Hazards Statement for Racine and Kenosha counties from 1 PM through 9 PM CDT, warning of “life threatening waves” of 3 to 5 feet with dangerous currents. The bulletin specifically flagged strong structural currents, longshore currents and possible rip currents — a combination that makes even experienced swimmers vulnerable. Stay out of the water and away from piers and breakwalls along the Racine and Kenosha waterfronts entirely.
Indiana: Gary, Hammond and Michigan City
In Indiana, Lake and Porter counties — Gary, Hammond, East Chicago and Portage — and Northern La Porte County (Michigan City) are all under statements through late tonight. The Northern Indiana NWS office warned that piers will be heavily swamped by waves, with strong currents capable of pulling swimmers into deep water before they can react.
Michigan: From Berrien County to Muskegon
Northern and Southern Berrien County (New Buffalo, St. Joseph, Benton Harbor) are under statements through late tonight with heavily wave-swamped piers. Farther north, Oceana, Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan and Van Buren counties — Grand Haven, Holland, South Haven, Saugatuck and Muskegon — are under a statement from 4 PM EDT through this evening. The NWS Grand Rapids office specifically warned that beaches on the north sides of piers will be the most dangerous this afternoon.
What You Need to Know Before Heading to the Beach
The consistent message from four NWS offices: remain out of the water and off all pier structures. Waves of 4 to 6 feet on Lake Michigan are ocean-scale conditions that can knock adults off their feet in shallow water and drag them under in seconds. Lake Michigan accounts for more drowning deaths than any of the other Great Lakes each summer, with the majority occurring in or near these same southern counties. Many victims were not intending to swim — they were knocked off piers or waded into shallow water.
For the latest conditions by county, monitor weather.gov/lot, weather.gov/mkx and weather.gov/grr.
