Lake Michigan will dip to ‘dangerously cold’ temperatures in the 40s F – which can cause hypothermia and shock within MINUTES to unprepared swimmers
- The National Weather Service Grand Rapids tweeted cold water warnings
- It said that Lake Michigan’s shoreline water temperatures would be in the 40s to low 50 degrees F in the next few days
- The weather service warned submersion in water that temperature can kill
- Just one minute could result in cold shock, while an hour can bring hypothermia
- The weather service also warned of dangerous currents and high waves
Michigan’s National Weather Service is warning that Lake Michigan’s beach water temperatures are ‘dangerously cold’ despite the summer weather.
On Monday afternoon, NWS Grand Rapids tweeted an alert that ‘Cold water temps at Lake Michigan are expected over the next few days.’
The tweet noted that water temperatures along the shore would be between the 40s and low 50s degrees Fahrenheit.
The National Weather Service Grand Rapids tweeted out the cold water warning for Lake Michigan Monday afternoon, stating shore water will be ‘dangerously cold’
Submersion in water at those temperatures can be lethal, the weather service noted, stating that one minute of exposure could lead to cold shock, while 10 minutes could result in incapacitation and an hour could bring about hypothermia.
‘The northerly flow will actually pull water away from the shore which causes upwelling along the coast. That will drop beach water temperatures dangerously cold,’ the NWS explained about the north to northeast wind currently being experienced in the area.
Upwelling replaces the usually warmer surface water with colder, deeper lake water.
On Monday evening, the NWS posted a second warning about the cold water temperatures, tacking on additional information about dangerous waves and currents.
Water temperatures along Lake Michigan’s shore (pictured) are expected to plummet to the 40s and low 50s over the next few days
The NWS also warned of dangerous currents and waves between three to six feet
A surfer is seen braving the waves along Lake Michigan’s Silver Beach in St. Joseph on Monday
‘Beware on Lake Michigan: water is much colder than last week, and waves and currents will be dangerous for swimmers, especially near the piers!,’ according to the tweet.
Waves were between three to six feet high, prompting the NWS to remind swimmers to ‘Stay dry when waves are high.’
Lake Michigan shoreline water temperatures were in the 70s last Monday and are currently in the lower to mid-60s, Fox 17 reported.
The news station reported that Lake Michigan shoreline water temperatures are expected to increase by the weekend.