Fresh beach hazard statements have been issued along parts of Lake Michigan, with forecasters warning that high waves, dangerous currents and rip currents could turn life-threatening for swimmers heading to the shoreline this weekend. The latest alerts come just days after widespread warnings stretched across all five Great Lakes, prompting officials to tell nearly 1 million people to stay out of the water as dangerous conditions developed from Lake Superior to Lake Ontario. According to the National Weather Service's (NWS) Great Lakes Beach Hazards program, beach hazard statements are issued when a high swim risk is forecast due to waves, rip currents or other dangerous currents.
The new advisories are focused on portions of Wisconsin and Michigan, where forecasters say strong wave action and currents will create hazardous swimming conditions through Friday and, in some locations, into Saturday. Officials have repeatedly emphasized that Great Lakes currents can be just as dangerous as those found in the ocean. The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project (GLSRP), a nonprofit water safety organization that tracks regional drowning incidents, says dangerous currents, including rip currents and structural currents near piers and breakwalls, contribute to dozens of deaths every year.
The organization reports there have been approximately 1,480 Great Lakes drownings since 2010. There have been 65 Great Lakes drownings to date this year, with 35 of those occurring in Lake Michigan. The warnings also arrive after the traditional summer lifeguard season has ended at many beaches.
"This time of year there are no lifeguards on the beaches across the Great Lakes," GLSRP executive director Dave Benjamin told Newsweek. "Beaches that do have lifeguards in the summertime, are usually lifeguarding Friday of Memorial Day weekend through Monday of Labor Day weekend. Again, not all beaches will have lifeguards." That means beachgoers may face dangerous water conditions without trained rescuers nearby, making it even more important to heed official warnings.
The NWS identified several beaches expected to be particularly vulnerable to dangerous currents, high waves and hazardous surf conditions. The National Weather Service said high waves and dangerous currents are expected from Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon, and officials advised residents and visitors to stay out of the water. The Marquette NWS office warned that high wave action and strong rip currents would create life-threatening swimming conditions Friday afternoon and evening.
Forecasters noted that similar wave setups have previously been associated with rescues and fatalities at those locations. "Waves in rapid succession can tire swimmers quickly," the beach hazards statement said. Across each affected area, the agency's guidance was straightforward: remain out of the water until conditions improve.
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