Full Notification

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

The National Weather Service in Grand Rapids has issued a Beach
Hazards Statement...which is in effect until 8 PM EDT this
evening.

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

* STRONG STRUCTURAL CURRENTS EXPECTED.

* STRONG LONGSHORE CURRENTS EXPECTED.

* RIP CURRENTS POSSIBLE.

* LOCATION...BEACHES FROM MUSKEGON TO MANISTEE.

* BEACHES WITH PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS INCLUDE:
Muskegon State Park, Mears State Park in Pentwater, and Stearns
Park in Ludington.

* OVERVIEW/POTENTIAL IMPACTS...North winds of 15 to 25 mph will
generate 2 to 4 foot waves today which will last into the early
evening. This will lead to a moderate swim hazard risk. North
sides of north piers will be the most dangerous areas to swim.
Also, walking out on piers is discouraged as waves washing over
them could sweep you off.

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.