GRAND RAPIDS, MI - This Labor Day weekend, it seems like Mother Nature is packing a lot into her bag of tricks: There’s a chance for strong to severe storms to roll into parts of West Michigan tonight and early Monday. Gale Warnings have been issued for Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Superior. And forecasters are warning of high waves and dangerous currents on Lake Michigan later today and on Labor Day.
It’s not exactly the holiday beach forecast most of us were hoping for.
While some showers are possible this morning and afternoon, the National Weather Service says stronger, scattered storms - some packing hail and high winds - could impact West Michigan later tonight and into Monday. The area for possible severe weather runs from roughly Frankfort south of St. Joseph along the Lakeshore, then inland by a county or two.
Here’s what’s included in the NWS forecast:
- Showers are possible with isolated storms Sunday morning and afternoon.
- Strong to Severe storms possible Sunday Evening into late Sunday Night
- Damaging winds and large hail possible Sunday Evening into Sunday Night
- Storms may produce very heavy rainfall, could lead to localized flooding of streets and low-lying areas
Along with these possibly severe storms and high wind gusts, waves will start building along Lake Michigan beaches today, and could top 8 feet by Labor Day. The NWS said it’s a recipe for dangerous currents and swim conditions.
“Large waves and strong currents are expected to develop today at West Michigan beaches and persist through most of Labor Day,” NWS meteorologists from the Grand Rapids office said. “These will be some of the most dangerous conditions we have seen this season. Water rescues were needed yesterday in South Haven in smaller waves and weaker currents than those expected today and tomorrow. Please observe the red no swimming flags at the beaches, and stay off of the piers as waves start to wash over them later today. You do not want to get swept into the water. Some of the most dangerous currents are located near piers!”
Here’s what you need to know about the swimming conditions:
- Waves and strong currents build beginning north of Holland Sunday afternoon, become dangerous to swimmers
- Moderate to high swim risk early on Labor Day for all West Michigan beaches
- Large waves may wash over piers, sweeping people into water
- Waves will subside Monday afternoon into Monday evening.