National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists warned more than 200,000 people to stay out of the water at Lake Superior in parts of Wisconsin and Montana on Monday amid dangerous waves and rip currents.
Why It Matters
The Great Lakes are a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The warning comes as Minnesota and Wisconsin see above-average temperatures this week, which could draw more people to the beach to celebrate the end of summer.
There have been 72 Great Lakes drownings this year so far, according to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. Six of those have occurred at Lake Superior.
What to Know
The NWS office in Duluth, Minnesota, issues coastal hazard messages anytime there’s a risk for rip currents to be hazardous, NWS meteorologist Lee Britt told Newsweek.
NWS Duluth issued the coastal hazard message on Monday morning. It will remain in place through Monday evening, and it affects Minnesota Park Point and Wisconsin Point Beaches.
“Dangerous swimming conditions are expected along the Lake Superior shoreline due to high wave action and strong rip currents,” the alert said. “Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions.”
Temperatures will remain warm through mid-week, according to a post on X from NWS Duluth, which could bring more people to the beach.
“Warm and humid conditions continue through Wednesday, with high temperatures in the 70s and 80s,” the post said. “A few isolated storms in far northern Minnesota could be strong to severe late this afternoon and evening. Several rounds of showers and storm chances this week, as well.”
Britt told Newsweek the NWS Duluth office might issue another coastal hazard message on Thursday, based on the wind forecasts.
What People Are Saying
Britt told Newsweek: “There’s a chance we might issue another one on Thursday. Wednesday’s winds are out of the west, so that will not be conducive for us to get rip currents. We need a flow out of the northeast to see that type of phenomenon.
“[Rip currents] can happen any time of year, but we do typically get stronger winds as we go into the fall season.”
NWS Duluth in a coastal hazard message: “High wave action can make swimming difficult on days such as this. Incoming waves in rapid succession can tire even an experienced swimmer quickly. Rip currents can move you away from land. To avoid being swept away, swim parallel to the shore to exit a rip current.”
What Happens Next
The rip tides and dangerous waves are expected to subside this evening, but a similar warning could be issued on Thursday. People visiting the beach should check local weather forecasts to ensure the water is safe to enter before doing so.
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