National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

**Beyond the Warning Presentation in Oglesby on 3/10/2026 POSTPONED**

Due to the potential for severe thunderstorms on Tuesday, March 10th, the Beyond the Warning seminar in Oglesby, IL has been POSTPONED. We intend to reschedule this session later this spring. Read More >

Chicago, IL

Weather Forecast Office

Beach Hazards and Water Safety Awareness

Weather.gov > Chicago, IL > Beach Hazards and Water Safety Awareness

 

 

 

 

 

Take some time to learn about beach and water safety this summer!

 

 

 

En español: 
weather.gov/lot/beachprepare_spanish

  

 

Beach Hazards & Water Safety Awareness: Know before you go to the Great Lakes this summer. Check the beach forecast. Be cautious in cold water. Stay dry when the waves are high. Wear a life jacket. Be a water watcher. Steer clear of the pier. Flip, float and follow.
weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazard
 

 

Know Before You Go!

 

Swim Risk and Beach Hazard Statements:

 

Know Before You Go - Swim Risk High Swim Risk: Dangerous waves & strong currents expected. Conditions are life-threatening to anyone entering the water. Moderate Swim Risk: Moderate waves & strong currents are likely. Only experienced swimmers should consider entering the water. Low Swim Risk: Large waves and dangerous currents are not expected, however dangerous currents may still exit at any time near piers, breakwalls, and river outlets. Remember a low risk does not mean no risk! For beach forecasts, safety, statistics, and more visit: weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards     Know Before You Go- Beach Hazard Statement: Make sure to check to see if there are any Beach Hazard Statements in effect before heading to the beach. When a Beach Hazard Statement is in effect that means there is a high risk of dangerous currents and waves! Included in the graphic is an example of the Beach Hazard Statement and the Great Lakes Beach Hazards Page. For beach forecasts, safety, statistics, and more visit: weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards
It is best to Know Before You Go: the swim risk, if there are any Beach Hazard Statements in effect, and the beach status/conditions.     When a high swim risk is expected a Beach Hazard Statement is Issued.
 
weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazard

 

 

Stay Dry When Waves Are High!

 

Waves:

 

Stay Safe By Following These Tips. Avoid swimming in locations and conditions prone to current development. Dangerous currents can pull you away from shore and into deeper water. Stay Dry When Waves Are High, Steer Clear of the Pier, Forget the Outlet! For beach forecasts, safety, statistics, and more visit: weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards     Winds and Waves: A combination of winds, fetch, and the duration of the winds over the Great Lakes drive the waves. Examples: Fetch = 60 nm, Wind = 26 kt, Duration = 18 hr would cause Waves ~ 8 feet; Fetch = 230 nm, Winds = 26kt, Duration = 18 hr would cause Waves ~18 feet. Note, the wind direction and speeds usually change direction with time, so these values aren't perfect but are a rough estimate. For beach forecasts, safety, statistics, and more visit: weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards
There are certain conditions and locations prone to current, it is best to avoid these areas.     Ever wonder what drives the wave heights on Lake Michigan and why we see a shorter length of time in between waves than if you were at a beach on the ocean?
 
 
Wave Period on the Great Lakes. What makes the Great Lakes different from the Oceans? The Wave Period. The wave period is how long you have between the crest of one wave hitting you before the next wave crest arrives. Here in the Great Lakes, the wave periods are much higher compared to the Oceans. This means that you have LESS time to recover in between waves hitting you. This often is a matter of seconds here in the Great Lakes. This means waves will hit you more frequently. This can QUICKLY tire out even the strongest swimmers. On the Great Lakes 85% of current-related drowning rescues or fatalities occurred during times of high waves! For beach forecasts, safety, statistics, and more visit: weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards     High Wave Period equals Getting Hit By More Waves! If the wave period is 5, this means you have roughly 5 seconds in between each wave crashing into you! How many waves will crash into you in a span of 15 minutes if you’re in the water with high waves and a wave period of 5? Answer: Around 180 waves! This will exhaust even the more experiences swimmers. STAY DRY WHEN WAVES ARE HIGH! On the Great Lakes 85% of current-related drowning rescues or fatalities occurred during times of high waves! For beach forecasts, safety, statistics, and more visit: weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards
The wave period is typically much shorter than compared to on the ocean!     What is the wave period? It is the number of seconds in between each wave crashing into you!
 
weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazard

 

 

Steer Clear of the Pier!

 

Dangerous Rip Currents:

 

Stay Safe By Following These Tips. Avoid swimming in locations and conditions prone to current development. Dangerous currents can pull you away from shore and into deeper water. Stay Dry When Waves Are High, Steer Clear of the Pier, Forget the Outlet! For beach forecasts, safety, statistics, and more visit: weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards     What To Do When You Are Caught In A Current. First step is don’t panic! Then…Flip onto you back, Float and keep your head above water, Follow the current until help arrives or swim perpendicular to the flow to escape the current. Check out glsrp.org for more safety information. Drowning? Then flip: flip over onto your back and float. Float to: keep head above water, calm yourself down from fear and panic; don’t panic. Conserve your energy. And Follow! Follow the safest course to safety: 1. Do not fight the current. 2. Follow the current to assess which way it’s flowing. Swim perpendicular to the flow. 3. Too tired to swim, continue floating and try to signal for help. For beach forecasts, safety, statistics, and more visit: www.weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards
There are certain conditions and locations prone to current, it is best to avoid these areas.    

Follow these tips when you are caught in a current: 

Flip, Float, Follow!
 
 
Wave Period on the Great Lakes. What makes the Great Lakes different than the Oceans? The Wave Period. The wave period is how long you have between the crest of one wave hitting you before the next wave crest arrives. Here in the Great Lakes, the wave periods are much higher compared to the Oceans. This means if you have LESS time to recover in between waves hitting you. This often is a matter of seconds here in the Great Lakes. This means waves will hit you more frequently. This can QUICKLY tire out even the strongest swimmers. On the Great Lakes 85% of current-related drowning rescues or fatalities occurred during times of high waves! For beach forecasts, safety, statistics, and more visit: weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards     Rip Currents: Account for 80% of all beach rescues nationally. Carry swimmers into deeper water where they may not be able to get their footing. Rarely extend far out. Follow the tips to the left if you get caught in a rip current! Rip Currents: Know your options. If caught in a rip current: relax, rip currents don’t pull you under. Don’t swim against the current. Swim out of the current, then to shore. If you can’t escape, float or tread water. If you need help, yell or wave for assistance. Rip currents are powerful currents of water moving away from shore. They can sweep even the strongest swimmer away from shore. If at all possible, swim near a lifeguard. For beach forecasts, safety, statistics, and more visit: www.weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards
Currents develop by several factors. It is best to be familiar with the different currents and why they develop so that you know what to expect before deciding whether to go to the beach or not.     Rip currents are powerful currents of water moving away from shore. They can sweep even the strongest swimmer away from shore. It is important to know what to do if you are caught in a rip current.
 
 
Spotting Rip Currents: Look for a muddy/sandy color in the water, moving out into the lake. Look for a break or ‘calm spot’ in between incoming waves. The wave pattern on the Great Lakes often mask traditional signs of a current! Assume dangerous currents are present: near a shoreline structure/breakwall, near a river mouth, when waves are greater than 3 feet. For beach forecasts, safety, statistics, and more visit: www.weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards     Outlet Currents. Best to avoid swimming near a river, stream, or other water outlet because the current always exists. Strong outlet currents develop: After heavy rain events and/or When waves are pushing onshore. The escape route is similar to a rip current, swim parallel to shore to escape the current! For beach forecasts, safety, statistics, and more visit: weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards
Spotting Rip Currents     Outlet Currents
 
 
Channel Currents form where a (often submerged) sandbar connects the shoreline to an offshore feature and can quickly pull you into deeper, colder waters. It does not take much wind or high waves to help force water through this gap, increasing the flow of water moving in between the shoreline and the offshore feature. To escape, do not fight the current, swim back to shore perpendicular to the current. Float and signal for help if too tired. For beach forecasts, safety, statistics, and more visit: weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards     A longshore current paired with an obstruction like a pier, breakwall, etc is dangerous! These features direct water away from shore along with anyone in it. It is best to avoid these features while in the water. Remember to Steer Clear of the Pier! For beach forecasts, safety, statistics, and more visit: weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards
Channel Currents     Longshore and Structural Currents
 
weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazard


 

 

Designate a Water Watcher!

Understand the Signs of Drowning:

 

Drowning is silent and happens swiftly. Drowning is NOT associated with splashing, yelling or hand waving. Drowning IS PREVENTABLE! Wear a life jacket, Designate a water watcher, and Swim on lifeguarded beaches Designating a Water Watcher. This is an adult whose sole responsibility is to monitor swimmers in the water. Signs of drowning: facing shore, mouth at water level, head tilted back, body vertical, climbing ladder motion. What does drowning look like? The signs of drowning: 1. Facing shore. 2. Mouth at water level. 3. Head tilted back. 4. Body vertical. 5. Climbing ladder motion. For beach forecasts, safety, statistics, and more visit: weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards     Helping Others: Beach Hazards. Educate people who aren’t familiar with beach hazards. If someone is calling for help, take 10 seconds to assess the situation, then alert a lifeguard. While help is coming, see if there’s a floatation device to throw their way. weather.gov
At the beach it is always a good idea to designate a Water Watcher and make sure everyone knows the signs of drowning.     At the beach, remaining vigilant and knowing when to speak up can save someone’s life. 
 
weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazard

 

 

Know the Signs of Hypothermia!

 

Great Lakes Water Temperatures Can Be COLD:

 

The Air May Be Hot, But The Water Is Cold! In spring and early summer air temperatures can get hot, but water temperatures warm up slower and remain colder! Use caution, cold water can cause… Loss of muscle control without proper equipment. Loss of body heat 25 times faster than cold air. Hypothermia shortly after entering the water. Wearing a life jacket can significantly increase the chance of survival but doesn’t guarantee it! Know the signs of hypothermia: shivering, cold hands and feet, poor coordination, numbness, loss of dexterity, mental sluggishness, pain from cold. For beach forecasts, safety, statistics, and more visit: weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards      
Cold water is a huge hazard on the Great Lakes and can kill.      
 
weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazard

 

 

Sun and Heat Safety

 

Know the Signs of Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke:

 

Heat Exhaustion vs Heat Stroke. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include dizziness, thirst, heavy sweating, nausea, and weakness. Act fast by moving to a cooler area, loosening clothing, sipping cool water. Seek medical help if symptoms don't improve. Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke. Symptoms of heat stroke include confusion, dizzines, and becoming unconscious. Act fast by calling 911, moving the person to a cooler area, loosening clothing and removing extra layers, and cooling with water or ice. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given.      
Heat Exhaustion vs Heat Stroke      
 
weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazard

 

nws logo Media use of NWS Web News Stories is encouraged!
Please acknowledge the NWS as the source of any news information accessed from this site.		 nws logo

Follow us on X  Follow us on X
Follow us on Facebook  Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on YouTube  Follow us on YouTube
LOT RSS Feed  LOT RSS Feed

Hazards
Enhanced Hazardous Weather Outlook
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Briefing
Storm Spotter Training and Seminars
Outlooks
Watch/Warning/Advisory Criteria
Snow Squall Warnings

Local Forecasts
Marine
Aviation
Fire
Text Products
Great Lakes Marine Portal
Lake Michigan Beach Forecast
El Nino
Snow and Ice Probabilities

Current Conditions
Latest Observations
CoCoRaHs
Drought Monitor
Weather and Hazards Viewer

Past Weather
Storm Data
Holiday Climate Data
Climate Plots
Weather Event Write-Ups

Education
JetStream
Student Opportunities

Weather Safety
Severe Weather Preparedness
Rip Currents
Lightning
NOAA Weather Radio
Winter Weather Preparedness
Weather Safety (Spanish)
Beach Hazards Awareness
Heat Safety

Information
About NWS Chicago
Social Media Feeds