(WJW) — The National Weather Service warned swimmers away from Lake Erie for the rest of the week, citing high risk from rip tide currents.
The service on Thursday, May 21, issued a BEACH HAZARD STATEMENT for Northern Ohio’s lakefront counties, including Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Erie, Lake, Lorain and Ottawa.
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The alert took effect at 8 a.m. on Thursday and continues through Saturday morning at the latest in some counties.
“Wind and wave action will cause currents on the lakeshore,” reads the alert. “Swimmers should not enter the water. Currents can carry swimmers away from shore through a sand bar and along structures extending out into the lake.”
Not that one might actually want to swim on Thursday. The water temperature off the coast of Cleveland is 55 degrees, according to the weather service.
FOX 8 meteorologists reported lake water has been colder so far this year than in years past:
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May is National Water Safety Month. Get water safety tips on the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance website.
We’re also in the tail end of National Safe Boating Week, which ends on Friday, May 22. Here’s what families should know before embarking.
Cuyahoga County officials on Thursday planned to highlight the importance of staying safe in the water and on boats, beach regulations and emergency response tips. Read more about that later on FOX8.com.
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