Swimmers beware. The National Weather Service issued a beach hazards warning through late Tuesday as waves of up to 7 feet and strong rip currents are expected along Lake Michigan in Illinois.
Beach-goers were urged to stay out of the water because of "dangerous pounding waves and life-threatening rip currents," according to the NWS.
Towering waves were seen crashing over the breakwall Tuesday morning in Chicago and sending water across the lakefront path, forcing some bikers off course. It was the latest of several beach warnings issued throughout the summer.
Rip currents are described as powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore, often occurring at low spots or breaks in sandbars. The currents can sweep swimmers from shore into deeper water.
Thankfully the temperature didn't necessarily lend itself to swimming. A Tuesday high near 70 degrees along the lake and mid-70s well inland made the last days of summer feel a lot like fall. Autumn-like conditions were expected to continue for the rest of the week with highs topping out in the upper 70s.
