A small craft advisory and a beach hazards statement were issued for waves as high as 6 feet through Thursday morning, meaning conditions are dangerous for boating or swimming at Lake Michigan beaches, according to the National Weather Service.

       The advisories were issued along the coast from Wisconsin to Indiana, including all of the northern Illinois shoreline. The weather service warned: “Swimming conditions will be life-threatening, especially for inexperienced swimmers.” The waves are expected to be from 3 to 6 feet high, “which are typically the most deadly as they can catch swimmers off-guard.”

       Swimming is prohibited as of Tuesday for all beaches, according to the Park District’s website. People can check flags put up at beaches, where red means swimming is not allowed, yellow is a swim advisory, and green signifies no swimming restrictions.

       There will also be dangerous rip currents near structures such as piers, jetties or breakwalls, forecasters said. The danger can also extend to those on land.

       “Use heightened awareness if walking along the immediate lakeshore due to the higher waves,” the weather service advised.

       The high waves are caused in part by strong northeast winds as well as the recent drier weather, forecasters said.

       There will likely be rain showers Friday and into the long holiday weekend, according to the weather service.

       For more information about the forecast, visit the Tribune’s weather page.

       jyan@chicagotribune.com

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