Bright and sunny though it is, Monday is not the best day for swimming at a Chicago beach, weather officials warn.
The National Weather service has put out a beach hazard statement until 7 p.m for all northeastern Illinois beaches, and until 9 p.m. for beaches in northwestern Indiana.
Meteorologist Zachary Yack warned that the weather officials are expecting strong rip currents to make for dangerous swimming conditions as well as waves between three and six feet high.
“The recommendation is for anybody going to the beach today to stay out of the water, or better yet, to postpone your beach trip,” Yack said. “That way you can get to a day when the waves are not high and dangerous.”
The Chicago Park District prohibited swimming at 23 beaches Sunday evening. On Saturday in Porter County, a father, 65, and his 20-year-old son drowned in Lake Michigan.
The Chicago Park District updates swim conditions each day on its website at 11 a.m. based on weather and surf conditions, and around 1:30 pm based on water quality conditions.
Yack said the water should be calmer Tuesday, with waves in a safer one to three-foot range. However, weather conditions may be less ideal, with a partly cloudy sky and a chance of rain or even storms in the afternoon.
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It’s currently 75 degrees at O’Hare International Airport, with a high expected to climb near 80, officials said.