‘Dangerous waves’ expected Thursday, beach warning issued
SUN-TIMES MEDIA WIRE September 5, 2013 10:08AM
Updated: September 5, 2013 10:33AM
Dangerous pounding waves are expected in Lake Michigan on Thursday, prompting the National Weather Service to warn beachgoers to stay out of the water.
Winds up to 20 mph could result in waves as high as 6 feet along the Illinois and Northwest Indiana shores of Lake Michigan, and life-threatening rip currents are possible, according to the weather service.
The waves should gradually taper off Thursday evening, according to the weather service.
Despite two beach warnings in the past week, there have actually been fewer days affected by dangerous waves than last summer, when the lake’s temperature was higher, according to Richard Castro, a meteorologist with the Weather Service who oversees the rip current and beach hazards program.
“There’s been a couple fronts coming down the lake with stronger northerly winds,” which results in the high waves, Castro said.
This summer, there have been no major rescues or fatalities near Chicago because of dangerous waves, he said.
