Michigan City, Ind. – Hazardous swimming conditions will persist along southern Lake Michigan through Saturday as strong winds and high waves continue to create dangerous currents at beaches in northern Indiana and southwest Michigan.
According to the National Weather Service in Northern Indiana, wind gusts up to 40 mph are expected Friday morning, driving waves as high as 9 feet near Berrien County, Michigan, and La Porte County, Indiana. A High Swim Risk is in effect for all area beaches, and officials warn swimmers to stay out of the water and off piers and breakwalls.
Breezy and cool weather will linger across the region with highs only in the mid-to-upper 60s through the weekend, several degrees below early September norms. While skies will turn mostly sunny by Saturday, dangerous rip currents and pounding surf will continue to make swimming extremely unsafe.
Local officials urge residents to avoid non-essential trips to the shoreline until conditions improve and to use caution if traveling near the lakefront.
Cooler-than-normal temperatures and breezy afternoons are expected to last into early next week, with the next shift toward calmer weather possible by Monday.
