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Chicago Weather: Swimming Prohibited At Most Beaches, Lakefront Trail Closed From Ohio To Oak Streets Due To High Waves

CHICAGO (CBS)-- Swimming is prohibited at most of Chicago's beaches, and the Lakefront Trail is closed from Ohio to Oak streets due to high waves on Lake Michigan.

Friday is the first day the city's beaches are officially open since 2019, after the pandemic prompted the city to close them last summer, but with windy conditions creating waves of up to 11 feet high, the Chicago Park District has prohibited swimming at many of Chicago's beaches.

Swimming was allowed only at 63rd Street, Calumet, Rainbow, and South Shore beaches on the South Side, but even at those beaches a swim advisory was in effect, urging caution due to the weather conditions. Swimming was banned at all other Chicago beaches.

The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazards statement through Saturday evening, due to high waves and dangerous currents. Waves are expected to reach up to 11 feet high on Friday and up to 8 feet on Saturday.

"Remain out of the water to avoid dangerous swimming conditions and do not venture out onto piers, jetties, breakwalls, or other shoreline structures," the National Weather Service said in a statement.

Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications said the Lakefront Trail also has been closed between Ohio and Oak streets due to the high waves.

 

 

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