Michigan City, Indiana – Beachgoers along the Indiana Dunes and southwest Michigan shoreline should evacuate the water and seek shelter as a Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 10 p.m. EDT Thursday. The fast-moving system threatens damaging wind gusts, frequent lightning, and dangerous waves along Lake Michigan.
According to the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center, Severe Thunderstorm Watch 540 includes all nearshore and offshore waters between Michigan City, Indiana and Grand Haven, Michigan. The highest risk spans beaches from New Buffalo and St. Joseph up to Grand Haven, as well as the Indiana Dunes National Park and adjacent lakefront communities.
Boaters should return to harbor immediately, as conditions could deteriorate quickly with gusts over 60 mph and wave heights exceeding 5 feet in some zones. Swimming and paddling are strongly discouraged. Local beach safety crews and park officials may begin clearing lakefronts if lightning is detected.
While this isn’t uncommon summer weather for the Great Lakes region, the strength and spread of the current system mirror outbreaks seen in July 2021.
Thunderstorm risks will taper late tonight, but more rounds of storms are possible through the weekend.
