Full Notification

BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM EDT SATURDAY
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 2 AM EDT SATURDAY THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING.

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

* STRONG STRUCTURAL CURRENTS EXPECTED.

* STRONG LONGSHORE CURRENTS EXPECTED.

* RIP CURRENTS EXPECTED.

* 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 TO NORTHWEST WINDS WILL
INCREASE LATE TONIGHT AND EARLY SATURDAY MORNING TO GALES TO 35
KNOTS WITH HIGHER GUSTS POSSIBLE. WINDS WILL THEN GRADUALLY
DIMINISH DURING THE DAY ON SATURDAY. WAVES WILL BUILD TO 4 TO 8
FEET...WITH HIGHEST WAVES FURTHER SOUTH.

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.