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Beware boaters and swimmers: High winds in areas on the Great Lakes this weekend

Jul 27, 2019 06:29AM ● By Editor

The Ludington breakwater lighthouse. Photo: Google Maps

By Sarah Rahal from The Detroit News - July 26, 2019

The National Weather Service has issued a Great Lakes alert for high waves and strong currents,  which present dangers for boaters and swimmers, for west Michigan beaches from midnight Friday through Saturday evening.

The weather service said high waves , strong currents and dangerous swimming conditions will be around until Sunday.

"The south side of piers and breakwaters will be especially dangerous," the alert said. "Piers and breakwaters will likely be over-topped by waves, which will sweep people into the water."

South-to-southwest winds with gusts generally less than 15 knots (17 mph) will increase Saturday ahead of an approaching cold front. Winds Saturday will reach up to 20 knots (25 mph) with gusts up to 25 knots (nearly 30 mph,) especially across Saginaw Bay into the Lake Huron basin. There, conditions may become hazardous for small crafts, the weather service said.

After 4 p.m., west winds will be moving east at 35 mph with gusts up to 65 mph. 

Dave Benjamin, executive director of public relations and project management for the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, said looking at the warm weekend, southerly winds can cause offshore wind conditions for southeast Michigan.

"As the winds travel farther north, the winds will also create waves and dangerous currents such as long-shore currents, rip currents and structural currents," Benjamin said. "The south sides (windward sides) of all piers will be the most turbulent and dangerous spots on Lake Michigan."

Water rescue crews continue to search for Brian Herrmann, 38, who went missing Thursday after he, his wife and their two children were swept into Lake Michigan from the mouth of the Big Sable River at Ludington State Park in west Michigan.

Herrmann is the second swimmer to be reported missing this week at the park, which is northwest of Grand Rapids.

Since July 18, a 14-year-old girl and 18-year-old man have died in separate swimming incidents near the park.

Isolated thunderstorms may occur during the dry weather that's expected through the weekend. In Metro Detroit, Saturday will reach a high of 88 and Sunday will reach 89, both days expected to see more than 50% humidity.

On Sunday, winds decrease out of the southwest. Chances for thunderstorms will increase on Monday ahead of a stronger cold front tracking east across Lake Superior.

A few strong to marginally-severe storms with gusty winds are possible late Saturday mainly across the Tri-Cities and northern Thumb.

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Pay attention to flags

Beachgoers and others, experts say, are often unaware of the sea-like characteristics of the lakes and how quickly surf conditions can change. Sustained winds and rolling waves, along with structural obstructions, can create dangerous currents, even along the shoreline.

Frequently, swimmers ignore Michigan’s flag-warning system, which lets beachgoers know when it’s safe to swim. A red flag means stay out of the water and remain on the beach.

■Red = STOP. Stay out of the water and on the beach.

■Yellow = CAUTION. Watch for dangerous conditions and high waves.

■Green = LOW. Swim or wade but remain aware of changing water conditions.

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources


Nearshore Marine Forecast
National Weather Service Duluth MN
341 AM CDT Sat Jul 27 2019

For waters within five nautical miles of shore on Lake Superior.         
Grand Portage to Grand Marais MN-
Grand Marais to Taconite Harbor MN-
341 AM CDT Sat Jul 27 2019

TODAY...Southwest wind 10 to 15 knots. Patchy fog early in the
morning. Waves 1 to 3 feet.

TONIGHT...Northwest wind 5 to 10 knots. Mostly clear. Waves 1 to
3 feet. 

SUNDAY...West wind 5 knots becoming south in the late morning
and afternoon. Chance of showers and thunderstorms in the
afternoon. Waves 2 feet or less. 

SUNDAY NIGHT...South wind 5 knots becoming west early in the
morning. Showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then chance of
showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Waves 2 feet or less. 



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