Full Notification

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GRAND RAPIDS HAS ISSUED A BEACH
HAZARDS STATEMENT...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS MORNING
THROUGH THIS EVENING.

* HIGH WAVE ACTION... STRONG CURRENTS AND DANGEROUS SWIMMING
CONDITIONS EXPECTED.

* STRONG STRUCTURAL CURRENTS EXPECTED.

* STRONG LONGSHORE CURRENTS EXPECTED.

* RIP CURRENTS POSSIBLE.

* LOCATION...BEACHES FROM ST. JOSEPH TO WHITEHALL.

* BEACHES WITH PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS INCLUDE...

NORTH BEACH IN SOUTH HAVEN...
HOLLAND STATE PARK...
MUSKEGON STATE PARK...

* OVERVIEW/POTENTIAL IMPACTS...NORTHWEST WINDS OF 10 TO 20 KNOTS
WILL KEEP WAVES HIGH TODAY. THE WIND DIRECTION WILL LIKELY
PRODUCE STRONG SOUTHWARD MOVING CURRENTS NEAR THE SHORE THAT
COULD BECOME ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS ALONG NORTH FACING PIERS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

HIGH WAVE ACTION MAKES SWIMMING DIFFICULT AND CAN TIRE EVEN A
STRONG SWIMMER QUICKLY.

STRUCTURAL CURRENTS FORM ALONG PIERS WHERE LONGSHORE CURRENTS AND
WAVE ACTION FLOW INTO THE STRUCTURE. STRUCTURAL CURRENTS CAN
SWEEP YOU OUT INTO DEEPER WATER ALONG THE PIER STRUCTURE.

A LONGSHORE CURRENT IS A LAKE CURRENT THAT MOVES PARALLEL TO
SHORE. LONGSHORE CURRENTS CAN BE STRONG ENOUGH TO PREVENT
SWIMMERS FROM BEING ABLE TO KEEP THEIR FEET ON THE BOTTOM...
MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO RETURN TO SHORE.

RIP CURRENTS ARE POWERFUL CHANNELS OF WATER FLOWING QUICKLY AWAY
FROM SHORE...WHICH OCCUR MOST OFTEN AT LOW SPOTS OR BREAKS IN
SANDBARS. RIP CURRENTS CAN SWEEP YOU INTO DEEPER WATER.