Alert archive / Michigan / Beach Hazards Statements in 2026

Beach Hazards Statement 15, NWS Grand Rapids, MI

July 20, 20266 counties in Michigan

NWS Grand Rapids, MI issued this beach hazards statement at Jul 20, 2026, 2:39 AM EDT for 6 counties in Michigan. It took effect at Jul 20, 2026, 11:00 AM EDT. It was in force for 59 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jul 20, 2026, 2:39 AM EDT (06:39 UTC)
In effect from
Jul 20, 2026, 11:00 AM EDT
Expired
Jul 22, 2026, 10:01 PM EDT
In force
59 hr
Issued by
NWS Grand Rapids, MI

Counties Allegan County, MI, Mason County, MI, Muskegon County, MI, Oceana County, MI, Ottawa County, MI, Van Buren County, MI

The radar

The Grand Rapids radar (KGRR), 60 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 06:43 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Alpena, MI (KAPX), launched 00:00Z, 6.7 hours before the alert went out and 375 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Alpena, MI at 00:00Z on 2026-07-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Alpena, MI at 00:00Z on 2026-07-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 12 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1507 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
38 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
12 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
53 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

868 
WHUS43 KGRR 200639
CFWGRR

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
239 AM EDT Mon Jul 20 2026

MIZ037-043-050-056-064-071-201445-
/O.NEW.KGRR.BH.S.0015.260720T1500Z-260723T0300Z/
Mason-Oceana-Muskegon-Ottawa-Allegan-Van Buren-
239 AM EDT Mon Jul 20 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM EDT THIS MORNING
THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING...

* WHAT...High wave action, strong currents, and dangerous 
  swimming conditions expected. Piers may be heavily swamped by 
  waves.

* WHERE...Mason, Oceana, Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan and Van Buren 
  counties.

* WHEN...From 11 AM EDT this morning through Wednesday evening.

* IMPACTS...Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water
  and high waves can sweep people off piers.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions
and do not venture out on piers. Please check with your local
authorities on potential beach closures.

&&

$$
12 follow-up statements
558 
WHUS43 KGRR 201401
CFWGRR

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
1001 AM EDT Mon Jul 20 2026

MIZ037-043-050-056-064-071-202215-
/O.CON.KGRR.BH.S.0015.260720T1500Z-260723T0300Z/
Mason-Oceana-Muskegon-Ottawa-Allegan-Van Buren-
1001 AM EDT Mon Jul 20 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY
EVENING...

* WHAT...High wave action, strong currents, and dangerous 
  swimming conditions expected. Piers may be heavily swamped by 
  waves.

* WHERE...Mason, Oceana, Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan and Van Buren 
  counties.

* WHEN...From 11 AM EDT this morning through Wednesday evening.

* IMPACTS...Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water 
  and high waves can sweep people off piers.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...south winds today and tonight will bring
  especially dangerous conditions on the south side of south piers
  at places like Grand Haven State Park and South Beach at South 
  Haven.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions
and do not venture out on piers. Please check with your local
authorities on potential beach closures.

&&

$$
635 
WHUS43 KGRR 201902
CFWGRR

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
302 PM EDT Mon Jul 20 2026

MIZ037-043-050-056-064-071-210315-
/O.CON.KGRR.BH.S.0015.000000T0000Z-260723T0300Z/
Mason-Oceana-Muskegon-Ottawa-Allegan-Van Buren-
302 PM EDT Mon Jul 20 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY
EVENING...

* WHAT...High wave action, strong currents, and dangerous 
  swimming conditions expected. Piers may be heavily swamped by 
  waves.

* WHERE...Mason, Oceana, Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan and Van Buren 
  counties.

* WHEN...From 11 AM EDT this morning through Wednesday evening.

* IMPACTS...Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water 
  and high waves can sweep people off piers.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions
and do not venture out on piers. Please check with your local
authorities on potential beach closures.

&&

$$
541 
WHUS43 KGRR 210142
CFWGRR

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
942 PM EDT Mon Jul 20 2026

MIZ037-043-050-056-064-071-210945-
/O.CON.KGRR.BH.S.0015.000000T0000Z-260723T0300Z/
Mason-Oceana-Muskegon-Ottawa-Allegan-Van Buren-
942 PM EDT Mon Jul 20 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY
EVENING...

* WHAT...High wave action, strong currents, and dangerous 
  swimming conditions expected. Piers may be heavily swamped by 
  waves.

* WHERE...Mason, Oceana, Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan and Van Buren 
  counties.

* WHEN...Through Wednesday evening.

* IMPACTS...Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water
  and high waves can sweep people off piers.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions
and do not venture out on piers. Please check with your local
authorities on potential beach closures.

&&

$$
257 
WHUS43 KGRR 210706
CFWGRR

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
306 AM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

MIZ037-043-050-056-064-071-211515-
/O.CON.KGRR.BH.S.0015.000000T0000Z-260723T0300Z/
Mason-Oceana-Muskegon-Ottawa-Allegan-Van Buren-
306 AM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY
EVENING...

* WHAT...High wave action, strong currents, and dangerous 
  swimming conditions expected. Piers may be heavily swamped by 
  waves.

* WHERE...Mason, Oceana, Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan and Van Buren 
  counties.

* WHEN...Through Wednesday evening.

* IMPACTS...Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water 
  and high waves can sweep people off piers.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions
and do not venture out on piers. Please check with your local
authorities on potential beach closures.

&&

$$
979 
WHUS43 KGRR 211425
CFWGRR

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
1025 AM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

MIZ037-043-050-056-064-071-212230-
/O.CON.KGRR.BH.S.0015.000000T0000Z-260723T0300Z/
Mason-Oceana-Muskegon-Ottawa-Allegan-Van Buren-
1025 AM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY
EVENING...

* WHAT...High wave action, strong currents, and dangerous 
  swimming conditions expected. Piers may be heavily swamped by 
  waves.

* WHERE...Mason, Oceana, Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan and Van Buren 
  counties.

* WHEN...Through Wednesday evening.

* IMPACTS...Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water 
  and high waves can sweep people off piers.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions
and do not venture out on piers. Please check with your local
authorities on potential beach closures.

&&

$$
606 
WHUS43 KGRR 211910
CFWGRR

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
310 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

MIZ037-043-050-056-064-071-220400-
/O.CON.KGRR.BH.S.0015.000000T0000Z-260723T0300Z/
Mason-Oceana-Muskegon-Ottawa-Allegan-Van Buren-
310 PM EDT Tue Jul 21 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY
EVENING...

* WHAT...High wave action, strong currents, and dangerous 
  swimming conditions expected. Piers may be heavily swamped by 
  waves.

* WHERE...Mason, Oceana, Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan and Van Buren 
  counties.

* WHEN...Through Wednesday evening.

* IMPACTS...Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water 
  and high waves can sweep people off piers.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions
and do not venture out on piers. Please check with your local
authorities on potential beach closures.

&&

$$
577 
WHUS43 KGRR 220707
CFWGRR

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
307 AM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026

MIZ037-043-050-056-064-071-221515-
/O.CON.KGRR.BH.S.0015.000000T0000Z-260723T0300Z/
Mason-Oceana-Muskegon-Ottawa-Allegan-Van Buren-
307 AM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...High wave action, strong currents, and dangerous 
  swimming conditions expected. Piers may be heavily swamped by 
  waves.

* WHERE...Mason, Oceana, Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan and Van Buren 
  counties.

* WHEN...Through this evening.

* IMPACTS...Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water 
  and high waves can sweep people off piers.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions
and do not venture out on piers. Please check with your local
authorities on potential beach closures.

&&

$$
675 
WHUS43 KGRR 221526
CFWGRR

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
1126 AM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026

MIZ037-043-050-056-064-071-222330-
/O.CON.KGRR.BH.S.0015.000000T0000Z-260723T0300Z/
Mason-Oceana-Muskegon-Ottawa-Allegan-Van Buren-
1126 AM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...High wave action, strong currents, and dangerous 
  swimming conditions expected. Piers may be heavily swamped by 
  waves.

* WHERE...Mason, Oceana, Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan and Van Buren 
  counties.

* WHEN...Until 11 PM EDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water 
  and high waves can sweep people off piers.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions
and do not venture out on piers. Please check with your local
authorities on potential beach closures.

&&

$$
190 
WHUS43 KGRR 221842
CFWGRR

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
242 PM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026

MIZ037-043-050-056-064-071-230245-
/O.CON.KGRR.BH.S.0015.000000T0000Z-260723T0300Z/
Mason-Oceana-Muskegon-Ottawa-Allegan-Van Buren-
242 PM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...High wave action, strong currents, and dangerous 
  swimming conditions expected. Piers may be heavily swamped by 
  waves.

* WHERE...Mason, Oceana, Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan and Van Buren 
  counties.

* WHEN...Until 11 PM EDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water 
  and high waves can sweep people off piers.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions
and do not venture out on piers. Please check with your local
authorities on potential beach closures.

&&

$$
073 
WHUS43 KGRR 222145
CFWGRR

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
545 PM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026

MIZ037-043-222245-
/O.CAN.KGRR.BH.S.0015.000000T0000Z-260723T0300Z/
Mason-Oceana-
545 PM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IS CANCELLED...

The high swim risk has ended with waves currently around 2 feet or
less.

$$

MIZ050-056-064-071-230300-
/O.CON.KGRR.BH.S.0015.000000T0000Z-260723T0300Z/
Muskegon-Ottawa-Allegan-Van Buren-
545 PM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...High wave action, strong currents, and dangerous 
  swimming conditions expected. Piers may be heavily swamped by 
  waves.

* WHERE...Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan and Van Buren counties.

* WHEN...Until 11 PM EDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water 
  and high waves can sweep people off piers.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions
and do not venture out on piers. Please check with your local
authorities on potential beach closures.

&&

$$
738 
WHUS43 KGRR 230037
CFWGRR

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
837 PM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026

MIZ050-056-230145-
/O.CAN.KGRR.BH.S.0015.000000T0000Z-260723T0300Z/
Muskegon-Ottawa-
837 PM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IS CANCELLED...

High swim risk conditions have ended.

$$

MIZ064-071-230300-
/O.CON.KGRR.BH.S.0015.000000T0000Z-260723T0300Z/
Allegan-Van Buren-
837 PM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...High wave action, strong currents, and dangerous 
  swimming conditions expected. Piers may be heavily swamped by 
  waves.

* WHERE...Allegan and Van Buren counties.

* WHEN...Until 11 PM EDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water 
  and high waves can sweep people off piers.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions
and do not venture out on piers. Please check with your local
authorities on potential beach closures.

&&

$$
154 
WHUS43 KGRR 230201
CFWGRR

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
1001 PM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026

MIZ064-071-230315-
/O.CAN.KGRR.BH.S.0015.000000T0000Z-260723T0300Z/
Allegan-Van Buren-
1001 PM EDT Wed Jul 22 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IS CANCELLED...

The high swim risk has ended. Waves will continue to fall to 1 to
2 feet overnight.

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this beach hazards statement went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Grand Rapids, MI wrote its last area forecast discussion before this beach hazards statement went out at Jul 20, 2:38 AM EDT, 1 minute earlier. Its key messages:

  • Thunderstorms Tonight With Damaging Winds Possible
  • Dry and Cooler Mid to Late Week
Area forecast discussion, Jul 20, 2:38 AM EDT, 1 minute before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
238 AM EDT Mon Jul 20 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Thunderstorms Tonight With Damaging Winds Possible

- Dry and Cooler Mid to Late Week

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 237 AM EDT Mon Jul 20 2026

- Thunderstorms Tonight With Damaging Winds Possible

Primary concern with this forecast package is for the potential of
severe thunderstorms tonight. A cold front looks to trigger storms
across the upper midwest this afternoon which progresses eastward
Monday evening. Questions remain as to the strength of any
convection, with timing favored to be late this evening into the
early overnight hours.

Evaluation of forecast profiles suggests the potential for an MCS on
the nose of a 40 kt LLJ, with strong low-level and deep layer shear.
This lends itself to a primary threat of damaging winds, with large
hail in any discrete convection given steep mid-level lapse rates.
Instability looks to be sufficient as well (albeit waning with
eastward extent), so even with uncertainties as to convective
strength, the environment warrants the Slight (Level 2/5) risk in
place across most of the CWA. The threat ends Tuesday morning as the
cold front exits the CWA.

- Dry and Cooler Mid to Late Week

Tuesday through late week will feature a relatively stable pattern
with persistent upper-level troughing and surface ridging across the
area. Combined with the dry airmass, dry conditons are favored at
this point. Look for highs in the 70s mid-week climbing back into
the low 80s by the weekend.

&&

.AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z TUESDAY/...
Issued at 104 AM EDT Mon Jul 20 2026

Smoke continues to support MVFR conditions at AZO/MKG and IFR at
GRR. Given persistence forecast from previous days, espect
conditions to remain the same through the night if not deteriorate
slightly near daybreak. Mixing then increases favoring VFR
conditions at all terminals beginning mid to late morning. A line
of storms potentially arrives from the west after 00z Tuesday,
however existence of timing and storms remains uncertain. Given
this have elected to go PROB30 at GRR/MKG to start and can re-
evauate with future packages. Gusty winds from the south to around
20 knots are expected today, with locally higher winds and MFVR
and lower conditions possible in any storms tonight.

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 237 AM EDT Mon Jul 20 2026

Winds and waves increase this morning ahead of a cold front with 3-6
foot waves building by this afternoon. Winds veer northwesterly
Tuesday behind a cold front with waves to 5-8 feet. Winds of 20-30
knots are expected with a 40% chance of gale force gusts Tuesday
evening. Hazardous winds and waves continue into Wednesday evening.
Will hoist a Small Craft Advisory and Beach Hazards Statement for
this multi day hazardous wind and wave event. In addition,
thunderstorms, the strongest of which may have winds in excess of 34
knots, are possible this evening across the nearshore and open
waters.

&&

.GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MI...Air Quality Alert until midnight EDT tonight for MIZ037>040-
     043>046-050>052-056>059-064>067-071>074.
     Beach Hazards Statement from 11 AM EDT this morning through
     Wednesday evening for MIZ037-043-050-056-064-071.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory from 11 AM this morning to 11 PM EDT
     Wednesday for LMZ844>849.

&&

DISCUSSION...Thomas
AVIATION...Thomas
MARINE...Thomas

The office that day

Everything else NWS Grand Rapids, MI issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 20, 2:39 AM EDTSmall Craft AdvisoryGRR67 hr

Nearby

Beach Hazards Statements in Michigan, 2026Every beach hazards statement in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.