LAKE MICHIGAN — With big waves and strong winds on Friday the beach hazard risk was high for swimmers in Lake Michigan. That scenario is expected to be repeated again on Saturday. A high beach hazard risk will be in effect (especially Saturday afternoon/evening) for three to five foot waves up and down the shore.
The difference between the two days is the current around the piers and jetties will be stronger (and perhaps more deadly) on the north side instead of the south side like Friday. That’s because the winds will shift on Saturday and come out of the north/northwest…putting the structural currents on the north side of piers. That said, rip currents and longshore currents are still likely up and down the entire shoreline, so please exercise caution when entering the water on Saturday.
For boaters small craft advisories will likely be issued for the afternoon and evening as waves build at three to five feet. Water temperatures will likely take a bit of a hit as well. The attached graphic shows the Lake Michigan forecast for Saturday with a high beach hazard risk along the shore in red, water temperatures at each reporting station (as taken Friday morning), and wind speed and direction in knots. There’s some great information from the National Weather Service on all the currents and risks here.
You can get more information here from the National Weather Service with their Surf Zone Forecast, and here with the Nearshore Marine Forecast.Click herefor the complete West Michigan forecast from FOX 17.
