Full Notification

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT
THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND RAPIDS HAS ISSUED A BEACH
HAZARDS STATEMENT FOR DANGEROUS SWIMMING CONDITIONS...WHICH IS IN
EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING.

* HIGH WAVE ACTION... STRONG CURRENTS AND DANGEROUS SWIMMING
CONDITIONS EXPECTED.

* STRONG STRUCTURAL CURRENTS EXPECTED.

* STRONG LONGSHORE CURRENTS POSSIBLE.

* RIP CURRENTS POSSIBLE.

* LOCATION...BEACHES FROM ST. JOSEPH TO MANISTEE.

* BEACHES WITH PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS TODAY INCLUDE...

FOR NORTH FLOW USE:

NORTH BEACH IN SOUTH HAVEN...
HOLLAND STATE PARK...
MUSKEGON STATE PARK...
MEARS STATE PARK IN PENTWATER...
STEARNS PARK IN LUDINGTON.

* OVERVIEW/POTENTIAL IMPACTS...NORTH WINDS WILL INCREASE TONIGHT
AND PERSIST THROUGH SATURDAY. SUSTAINED WINDS OF 15 TO 25 MPH
ARE EXPECTED...WITH WAVES OF 3 TO 6 FEET.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

HIGH WAVE ACTION MAKES SWIMMING DIFFICULT AND CAN TIRE EVEN A
STRONG SWIMMER QUICKLY.

STRUCTURAL CURRENTS FORM ALONG PIERS WHERE LONGSHORE CURRENTS AND
WAVE ACTION FLOW INTO THE STRUCTURE. STRUCTURAL CURRENTS CAN
SWEEP YOU OUT INTO DEEPER WATER ALONG THE PIER STRUCTURE.

A LONGSHORE CURRENT IS A LAKE CURRENT THAT MOVES PARALLEL TO
SHORE. LONGSHORE CURRENTS CAN BE STRONG ENOUGH TO PREVENT
SWIMMERS FROM BEING ABLE TO KEEP THEIR FEET ON THE BOTTOM...
MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO RETURN TO SHORE.

RIP CURRENTS ARE POWERFUL CHANNELS OF WATER FLOWING QUICKLY AWAY
FROM SHORE...WHICH OCCUR MOST OFTEN AT LOW SPOTS OR BREAKS IN
SANDBARS. RIP CURRENTS CAN SWEEP YOU INTO DEEPER WATER.