Chicagoans looking to take a dip in Lake Michigan Friday had to wait until the afternoon when a swim advisory was lifted.
Earlier in the morning, the National Weather Service had warned on social media of high waves and life-threatening currents.
But as of 4 p.m. Friday, swimming was permitted at most Chicago beaches. Some beaches, including Rainbow Beach, Montrose Beach and South Shore Beach, still had swim advisories in place.
Conditions took longer to improve on the Indiana shore. A swim advisory there was not allowed to expire until 4 p.m. Friday.
Weather service meteorologist Brian Leatherwood said Friday morning that wave heights had decreased since Thursday, but the frequency with which they were occurring still posed a swim hazard at that time.
There’s a chance of thunderstorms most afternoons for the next several days, but they aren’t expected to be severe, according to the weather service.
“Expect several waves of showers through early next week,” the weather service said in a hazardous weather outlook. “Thunderstorms would be favored during the afternoon hours. Severe weather is not expected, but locally heavy downpours may occur.”
Chicago would most likely see an increased chance of precipitation overnight Saturday and into Sunday, Leatherwood said.
For more information visit the Tribune’s weather page.
