Hazardous lake conditions are anticipated for the first part of the July 4 holiday weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

       High winds will create dangerous swimming conditions in Lake Michigan on Thursday afternoon and Friday night as waves reach as high as 8 feet with life-threatening rip currents, according to the weather service. The weather service rated the swim risk as “low” for Saturday and Sunday.

       “We’re not recommending anyone go into the water or be near the water,” said meteorologist Jake Petr of the weather service’s Chicago-area office.

       The winds off Lake Michigan will cool down the city Thursday and Friday before temperatures warm up to the low and mid-80s for the holiday weekend, Petr said.

       While the flash flood watch alert had expired for northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana, Wednesday’s rainfall could cause localized flooding in areas already dampened by the week’s persistent rain, Petr said.

       The rain is expected to clear for the Independence Day weekend, and high humidity and “mugginess” is likely for Monday, Petr said.

       “Looking dry for the weekend, which I think will be a good (break) for everybody,” he said.

       High winds in Thursday’s forecast, life-threatening rip currents in Lake Michigan heading into holiday weekend

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