(WWJ) Listen up, Michiganders, if your weekend plans include a day at the beach.
The National Weather Service has issued a Beach Hazard Statement for July 18, with high wave action, strong currents, and dangerous swimming conditions expected in Lake Michigan.
This statement, in effect Saturday morning through Saturday evening, is for Mason, Oceana and Muskegon counties, covering beaches between Grand Haven and Manistee.
Swimming during this time is considered highly dangerous and is strongly discouraged.
Strong rip currents can pull swimmers into deeper water and high waves can sweep people off piers, the NWS said. With water at high levels, piers may be heavily swamped by waves.
People are urged not to venture out on piers, and to keep an eye out for potential beach closures by local authorities.
This comes after, just last weekend, the U.S. Coast Guard told WWJ a man swept off a pier near South Haven was rescued when someone threw him a life ring. A second man, who entered the water from the beach, disappeared in rough conditions and was presumed drowned.
Forecasters say south winds will increase on Saturday to 15 to 25 mph, with waves building to 3 to 5 feet north of Grand Haven. The south side of south piers will be most dangerous such as at Pere Marquette Park in Muskegon and Grand Haven State Park.
However the highest waves are expected be north of Whitehall.
Thunderstorms will impact Lake Michigan at times over the weekend as well, the Weather Service said, and some storms could be strong to severe.
For the local forecast through the weekend and anytime, stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 for traffic and weather, every 10 minutes on the 8s.
