While many of Michigan’s lakes will be too cold to comfortably swim in this holiday weekend, thousands of Michiganders will be tempted to dip their toes into the water — or even take an icy plunge — but weather forecasters say they need to be aware of the risks from high waves and cold.
The National Weather Service surf zone forecast website is up and running for the summer season to help shoreline visitors stay safe and aware of potentially dangerous conditions such as rip currents and high waves.
The weather service offers surf zone forecasts for 11 areas throughout the Great Lakes, including four zones in Michigan.
In Michigan, parts of the Lake Huron and the Upper Peninsula shorelines will see high risks because of high waves on Saturday, but most Great Lakes shorelines will see low risk throughout the weekend.
The National Weather Service also warned that many areas along the Northern Michigan shoreline and in the U.P. will be cold enough to cause hypothermia if you get into the water.
Here’s a closer look at the Memorial Day weekend surf forecasts in Michigan.
What’s the surf forecast for West Michigan?
Wave forecasts for areas that include Ludington State Park, Stearns State Park, Charles Mears State Park, Silver Lake State Park, Muskegon State Park, Pere Marquette Park, PJ Hoffmaster State Park, Duck Lake State Park, Grand Haven State Park, Holland State Park, Saugatuck Dunes State Park, Oval Beach, South Haven and Van Buren State Park and Bay Park:
What’s the surf zone forecast for Southeast Michigan?
Wave forecasts for areas that include Linwood Beach and Bay City State Recreation Area:
Wave forecasts for areas that include Caseville, Sand Point, Port Crescent State Park, Port Austin, Harbor Beach:
Wave forecasts for areas that include Port Sanilac, Lexington, Birch Beach:
Wave forecasts for areas that include Lakeport, Fort Gratiot, Port Huron:
Wave forecasts for areas that include Lake St Clair Metropark Beach, Veterans Memorial Park and Pier Park:
Wave forecasts for areas that include Estral Beach, Sterling State Park, Toledo Beach and Luna Pier:
What’s the wave forecast for Northern Michigan?
Wave forecasts for areas that include Lake Michigan beaches of Manistee, Benzie, Leelanau, Grand Traverse, Antrim, Charlevoix counties. Hypothermia is possible because of water temperatures:
Wave forecasts for areas that include Lake Michigan beaches of Emmet County. Hypothermia is possible because of water temperatures:
Wave forecasts for areas that include Lake Huron beaches of Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Alpena, Alcona, Iosco, Arenac counties. Hypothermia is possible because of water temperatures:
Wave forecasts for areas that include Lake Michigan beaches of Mackinac County. Hypothermia is possible because of water temperatures:
How big will the waves be in the Upper Peninsula?
Wave forecasts for areas that include Picnic Rocks, McCarty Cove, and along Lakewood Lane. Hypothermia is possible because of water temperatures:
Wave forecasts for areas that include Au Train Bay and along Pictured Rocks. Hypothermia is possible because of water temperatures:
Wave forecasts for areas that include Lakeview Park and along Manistique Township Park eastward to near Seul Choix Point. Hypothermia is possible because of water temperatures:
What do swim risk categories mean?
According to the National Weather Service, the risk categories include:
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Hoping to swim in the Great Lakes? These areas could be dangerous
Reporting by Dan Basso, USA TODAY NETWORK / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
