Alert archive / Michigan / Beach Hazards Statements in 2026

Beach Hazards Statement 19, NWS Grand Rapids, MI

August 21, 20266 counties in Michigan

NWS Grand Rapids, MI issued this beach hazards statement at Aug 21, 2026, 2:20 PM EDT for 6 counties in Michigan. It took effect at Aug 22, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT. It was in force for 37 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Aug 21, 2026, 2:20 PM EDT (18:20 UTC)
In effect from
Aug 22, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT
Expired
Aug 23, 2026, 8:52 PM EDT
In force
37 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 18:23 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

Detroit, MI (KDTX), launched 12:00Z, 6.3 hours before the alert went out and 232 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, Detroit, MI at 12:00Z on 2026-08-21Temperature 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, Detroit, MI at 12:00Z on 2026-08-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 28 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 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
1460 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
24 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
28 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
52 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

505 
WHUS43 KGRR 211820
CFWGRR

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
220 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

MIZ037-043-220300-
/O.NEW.KGRR.BH.S.0019.260822T1200Z-260824T0300Z/
/O.CON.KGRR.BH.S.0018.000000T0000Z-260822T0000Z/
Mason-Oceana-
220 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...
...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING
THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING...

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

* WHERE...Mason and Oceana counties.

* WHEN...Until 8 PM EDT this evening. Then, from Saturday morning
  through Sunday 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.

&&

$$

MIZ050-056-064-071-220300-
/O.NEW.KGRR.BH.S.0019.260822T1200Z-260824T0300Z/
Muskegon-Ottawa-Allegan-Van Buren-
220 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING
THROUGH SUNDAY 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...From Saturday morning through Sunday 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.

&&

$$
8 follow-up statements
486 
WHUS43 KGRR 212350
CFWGRR

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
750 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

MIZ037-043-220800-
/O.EXP.KGRR.BH.S.0018.000000T0000Z-260822T0000Z/
/O.CON.KGRR.BH.S.0019.260822T1200Z-260824T0300Z/
Mason-Oceana-
750 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY
MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING...

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

* WHERE...Mason and Oceana counties.

* WHEN...From Saturday morning through Sunday 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.

&&

$$

MIZ050-056-064-071-220800-
/O.CON.KGRR.BH.S.0019.260822T1200Z-260824T0300Z/
Muskegon-Ottawa-Allegan-Van Buren-
750 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY
MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY 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...From Saturday morning through Sunday 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.

&&

$$
731 
WHUS43 KGRR 220659
CFWGRR

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
259 AM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

MIZ037-043-050-056-064-071-221500-
/O.CON.KGRR.BH.S.0019.260822T1200Z-260824T0300Z/
Mason-Oceana-Muskegon-Ottawa-Allegan-Van Buren-
259 AM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS
MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY 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 8 AM EDT this morning through Sunday evening.

* IMPACTS...Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water
  and high waves can sweep people off piers. The north sides of
  piers will be especially dangerous this weekend.

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.

&&

$$
515 
WHUS43 KGRR 221356
CFWGRR

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
956 AM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

MIZ037-043-050-056-064-071-222200-
/O.CON.KGRR.BH.S.0019.000000T0000Z-260824T0300Z/
Mason-Oceana-Muskegon-Ottawa-Allegan-Van Buren-
956 AM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH SUNDAY
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 Sunday 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.

&&

$$
197 
WHUS43 KGRR 221859
CFWGRR

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
259 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

MIZ037-043-050-056-064-071-230300-
/O.CON.KGRR.BH.S.0019.000000T0000Z-260824T0300Z/
Mason-Oceana-Muskegon-Ottawa-Allegan-Van Buren-
259 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH SUNDAY
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 Sunday 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.

&&

$$
400 
WHUS43 KGRR 230705
CFWGRR

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
305 AM EDT Sun Aug 23 2026

MIZ037-043-050-056-064-071-231515-
/O.CON.KGRR.BH.S.0019.000000T0000Z-260824T0300Z/
Mason-Oceana-Muskegon-Ottawa-Allegan-Van Buren-
305 AM EDT Sun Aug 23 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.

&&

$$
260 
WHUS43 KGRR 231341
CFWGRR

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
941 AM EDT Sun Aug 23 2026

MIZ037-043-050-056-064-071-232145-
/O.CON.KGRR.BH.S.0019.000000T0000Z-260824T0300Z/
Mason-Oceana-Muskegon-Ottawa-Allegan-Van Buren-
941 AM EDT Sun Aug 23 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.

&&

$$
221 
WHUS43 KGRR 231859
CFWGRR

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
259 PM EDT Sun Aug 23 2026

MIZ037-043-050-056-064-071-240300-
/O.CON.KGRR.BH.S.0019.000000T0000Z-260824T0300Z/
Mason-Oceana-Muskegon-Ottawa-Allegan-Van Buren-
259 PM EDT Sun Aug 23 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.

&&

$$
116 
WHUS43 KGRR 240052
CFWGRR

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
852 PM EDT Sun Aug 23 2026

MIZ037-043-050-056-064-071-240200-
/O.CAN.KGRR.BH.S.0019.000000T0000Z-260824T0300Z/
Mason-Oceana-Muskegon-Ottawa-Allegan-Van Buren-
852 PM EDT Sun Aug 23 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IS CANCELLED...

Waves of 2 to 4 feet creating a moderate swim risk will continue
to subside through the night.

$$

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 Aug 21, 1:07 PM EDT, 1 hour 13 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Scattered showers/thunderstorms today into Saturday
  • Cooler and dry Sunday through Tuesday, midweek rain chances
Area forecast discussion, Aug 21, 1:07 PM EDT, 1 hour 13 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
107 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Scattered showers/thunderstorms today into Saturday

- Cooler and dry Sunday through Tuesday, midweek rain chances

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 317 AM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

- Scattered showers/thunderstorms today into Saturday

The only change in thinking from 24 hours ago is that Convection
Allowing Models (CAMs) show widely dispersed convective cells
developing this afternoon over much of southwest Lower Michigan.
Please see the AVIATION section of this forecast discussion for
more specific details.

We expect precipitation coverage to be a bit more widespread
starting early tonight with additional convection approaching from
Lake MI. The latest SPC SWODY1 even has a marginal risk for wind
along our lakeshore. This would be predicated on already existing
organized multicell clusters making it into the area. Some Machine
Learning guidance, such as the NCAR suite, supports this idea.

Neither the thermodynamic environment nor the kinematics over
western Lower MI look particularly impressive for convective
maintenance, so would expect a fairly quick demise of any
organized convection that makes it this far east.

Models have been fairly consistent with a gradual west to east
shift of precipitation Saturday that mostly exits the area by
evening. It appears that the severe threat will remain east of our
area during this time.

- Cooler and dry Sunday through Tuesday, midweek rain chances

By late Sunday, the forecast area will be under deep, almost due
northerly flow with surface ridging. This is a dry pattern, but as
noted previously, can't completely rule out isolated pop up
diurnal showers due to colder air aloft.

From Tuesday onward, flow aloft becomes more northwesterly and an
upper PV max in this flow will provide enough forcing for upward
vertical motion to reintroduce precipitation chances Tuesday night
into Wednesday. After this, mean troughing aloft continues with
unsettled conditions the rest of the work week. At this point,
there will be limited predictability regarding the timing of
subsequent precipitation chances.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 107 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

Key Changes...

- Added details on forecast ceiling and visibility reductions
  overnight

Overall, no significant changes to the ongoing forecast. Still
favoring scattered showers and storms this afternoon into tonight,
with coverage low enough to warrant maintaining PROB30s for now
rather than going TEMPO/Prevailing. Will monitor and amend as
needed. Can't rule out gusty winds over 20 knots in any storms.
Low chance (15-20%) of additional storms late tonight, but will
handle those in future packages given extended time range and low
confidence. Otherwise, high boundary layer moisture will favor
patchy fog and low stratus overnight, which should mix out mid to
late Saturday morning.

&&

.MARINE...
Issued at 317 AM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

Although conditions will admittedly be marginally, we still opted
to issue a Small Craft Advisory and Beach Hazards Statement for
our northern two marine zones this afternoon into early evening.
There will be a risk for longshore currents and locally higher
waves, even though the overall wave field may be better described
by sub-advisory criteria. Nonetheless, this messaging lines up
well with APX's immediately to the north of these zones.

There is another reason for erring on the side of caution here that
is not meteorologically based. We are looking at a Friday in the
summertime that may be the last Friday before many people return
to work or school. Consequently, there could be greater than
normal willingness to be exposed to a marginal risk; this gives a
net result of significant vulnerability.

&&

.GRR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MI...Beach Hazards Statement until 8 PM EDT this evening for MIZ037-
     043.
MARINE...Small Craft Advisory until 8 PM EDT this evening for LMZ848-849.

&&

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

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 21, 2:21 AM EDTSmall Craft AdvisoryGRR18 hr
Aug 21, 2:25 AM EDTBeach Hazards StatementGRRMason, Oceana18 hr
Aug 21, 2:20 PM EDTSmall Craft AdvisoryGRR55 hr
Aug 21, 2:50 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGRRCalhoun40 min
Aug 21, 3:09 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryGRRCalhoun2 hr
Aug 21, 3:40 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGRRCalhoun35 min
Aug 21, 6:48 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementGRRIsabella42 min

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.