Dangerous swimming conditions at Chicago’s public beaches ahead of Memorial Day – Chicago Tribune

Chicago’s beaches are officially open — sort of.

Although seasonal swimming in Lake Michigan from the city’s public beaches was allowed beginning Friday, the best and recommended action Sunday was to stay out of the water today, according to forecasters. That’s not just because of the possibility of strong winds, high waves and rip currents — the water’s also still too cold for comfort.

There will be mostly sunny skies with temperatures in the 80s Sunday, according to Zachary Yack, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. And while that may sound like good news for beachgoers after facing a dreary spring, visitors are being asked to take precautionary measures ahead of Monday, the unofficial start of summer. Public beaches typically are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but Chicago “opened” beaches beginning Friday.

The weather service reported dangerous swimming conditions along the lakeshore in Lake County, Illinois Sunday, due to strong southerly winds that will generate waves of 3 to 5 feet, along with strong rip currents.

There’s also a moderate risk across most Chicago beaches, with wind gusts as strong as 30 to 40 mph, according to Yack.

“Temperatures are still sitting in the low- to mid-50s (Sunday) so there is a chance you may deal with cold water shock and even some hypothermia after staying in the water too long,” Yack said. “If they are going to go in, definitely have a life vest present to avoid getting into some trouble with hypothermia.”

Consistently dry weather is expected for the rest of Sunday and into Monday.

Temperatures Monday will be in the mid to upper 80s and possibly reaching the 90s, according to Yack.

The National Weather Service provides beach forecasts that are updated daily containing information about “swim risk”, the threat of high waves and dangerous currents.