Alert archive / Michigan / Beach Hazards Statements in 2026

Beach Hazards Statement 10, NWS Northern Indiana

August 21, 2026Berrien County, Michigan; LaPorte County, Indiana

NWS Northern Indiana issued this beach hazards statement at Aug 21, 2026, 2:23 PM EDT for Berrien County, Michigan; LaPorte County, Indiana. It took effect at Aug 22, 2026, 11:00 AM EDT. It was in force for 36 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Aug 21, 2026, 2:23 PM EDT (18:23 UTC)
In effect from
Aug 22, 2026, 11:00 AM EDT
Expired
Aug 23, 2026, 11:00 PM EDT
In force
36 hr
Issued by
NWS Northern Indiana

Counties LaPorte County, IN, Berrien County, MI

The radar

The Northern Indiana radar (KIWX), 85 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:24 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

Lincoln, IL (KILX), launched 12:00Z, 6.4 hours before the alert went out and 244 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, Lincoln, IL 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, Lincoln, IL at 12:00Z on 2026-08-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 31 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
1302 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
26 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
31 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
18 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

832 
WHUS43 KIWX 211823
CFWIWX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
223 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

INZ103-MIZ177-277-220230-
/O.NEW.KIWX.BH.S.0010.260822T1500Z-260824T0300Z/
Northern La Porte-Northern Berrien-Southern Berrien-
223 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026 /123 PM CDT Fri Aug 21 2026/

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

* WHAT...Dangerous swimming conditions expected. Waves 3 to 5
  feet. Strong rip and structural currents expected.

* WHERE...In Indiana, Northern La Porte county. In Michigan, 
  Northern Berrien and Southern Berrien 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.
Do not venture out on piers.

&&

$$
9 follow-up statements
039 
WHUS43 KIWX 220244
CFWIWX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
1044 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

INZ103-MIZ177-277-221045-
/O.CON.KIWX.BH.S.0010.260822T1500Z-260824T0300Z/
Northern La Porte-Northern Berrien-Southern Berrien-
1044 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026 /944 PM CDT Fri Aug 21 2026/

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

* WHAT...Dangerous swimming conditions expected. Waves 3 to 5
  feet. Strong rip and structural currents expected.

* WHERE...In Indiana, Northern La Porte county. In Michigan, 
  Northern Berrien and Southern Berrien 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.
Do not venture out on piers.

&&

$$
808 
WHUS43 KIWX 220805
CFWIWX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
405 AM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

INZ103-MIZ177-277-221615-
/O.CON.KIWX.BH.S.0010.260822T1500Z-260824T0300Z/
Northern La Porte-Northern Berrien-Southern Berrien-
405 AM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026 /305 AM CDT Sat Aug 22 2026/

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM EDT
/10 AM CDT/ THIS MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous swimming conditions expected. Waves 3 to 6 
  feet. Strong rip and structural currents expected. 

* WHERE...In Indiana, Northern La Porte county. In Michigan, 
  Northern Berrien and Southern Berrien counties.

* WHEN...From 11 AM EDT /10 AM CDT/ this 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.
Do not venture out on piers.

&&

$$

MCD
979 
WHUS43 KIWX 221455
CFWIWX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
1055 AM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

INZ103-MIZ177-277-222300-
/O.CON.KIWX.BH.S.0010.260822T1500Z-260824T0300Z/
Northern La Porte-Northern Berrien-Southern Berrien-
1055 AM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026 /955 AM CDT Sat Aug 22 2026/

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

* WHAT...Dangerous swimming conditions expected. Waves 3 to 6 
  feet. Strong rip and structural currents expected. 

* WHERE...In Indiana, Northern La Porte county. In Michigan, 
  Northern Berrien and Southern Berrien 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.
Do not venture out on piers.

&&

$$

Andersen
330 
WHUS43 KIWX 221941
CFWIWX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
341 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

INZ103-MIZ177-277-230345-
/O.CON.KIWX.BH.S.0010.000000T0000Z-260824T0300Z/
Northern La Porte-Northern Berrien-Southern Berrien-
341 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026 /241 PM CDT Sat Aug 22 2026/

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

 WHAT...Dangerous swimming conditions expected. Waves 3 to 6 
 feet. Strong rip and structural currents expected. 

* WHERE...In Indiana, Northern La Porte county. In Michigan, 
  Northern Berrien and Southern Berrien 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.
Do not venture out on piers.

&&

$$
757 
WHUS43 KIWX 230234
CFWIWX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
1034 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026

INZ103-MIZ177-277-231045-
/O.CON.KIWX.BH.S.0010.000000T0000Z-260824T0300Z/
Northern La Porte-Northern Berrien-Southern Berrien-
1034 PM EDT Sat Aug 22 2026 /934 PM CDT Sat Aug 22 2026/

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

* WHAT...Dangerous swimming conditions expected. Waves 3 to 6 
 feet. Strong rip and structural currents expected.

* WHERE...In Indiana, Northern La Porte county. In Michigan, 
  Northern Berrien and Southern Berrien 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.
Do not venture out on piers.

&&

$$
560 
WHUS43 KIWX 230817
CFWIWX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
417 AM EDT Sun Aug 23 2026

INZ103-MIZ177-277-231630-
/O.CON.KIWX.BH.S.0010.000000T0000Z-260824T0300Z/
Northern La Porte-Northern Berrien-Southern Berrien-
417 AM EDT Sun Aug 23 2026 /317 AM CDT Sun Aug 23 2026/

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

* WHAT...Dangerous swimming conditions expected. Waves 2 to 4 feet
  building to 3 to 6 feet. Strong rip and structural currents 
  expected.

* WHERE...In Indiana, Northern La Porte county. In Michigan, 
  Northern Berrien and Southern Berrien 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.
Do not venture out on piers.

&&

$$

MCD
666 
WHUS43 KIWX 231516
CFWIWX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
1116 AM EDT Sun Aug 23 2026

INZ103-MIZ177-277-232330-
/O.CON.KIWX.BH.S.0010.000000T0000Z-260824T0300Z/
Northern La Porte-Northern Berrien-Southern Berrien-
1116 AM EDT Sun Aug 23 2026 /1016 AM CDT Sun Aug 23 2026/

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT
/10 PM CDT/ THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous swimming conditions expected. Waves 3 to 6 
  feet. Strong rip and structural currents expected.

* WHERE...In Indiana, Northern La Porte county. In Michigan, 
  Northern Berrien and Southern Berrien counties.

* WHEN...Until 11 PM EDT /10 PM CDT/ 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.
Do not venture out on piers.

&&

$$

Andersen
343 
WHUS43 KIWX 231941
CFWIWX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
341 PM EDT Sun Aug 23 2026

INZ103-MIZ177-277-240300-
/O.CON.KIWX.BH.S.0010.000000T0000Z-260824T0300Z/
Northern La Porte-Northern Berrien-Southern Berrien-
341 PM EDT Sun Aug 23 2026 /241 PM CDT Sun Aug 23 2026/

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 PM EDT
/10 PM CDT/ THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous swimming conditions expected. Waves 3 to 5 
  feet. Strong rip and structural currents expected.

* WHERE...In Indiana, Northern La Porte county. In Michigan, 
  Northern Berrien and Southern Berrien counties.

* WHEN...Until 11 PM EDT /10 PM CDT/ 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.
Do not venture out on piers.

&&

$$

Andersen
585 
WHUS43 KIWX 240247
CFWIWX

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
1047 PM EDT Sun Aug 23 2026

INZ103-MIZ177-277-240400-
/O.EXP.KIWX.BH.S.0010.000000T0000Z-260824T0300Z/
Northern La Porte-Northern Berrien-Southern Berrien-
1047 PM EDT Sun Aug 23 2026 /947 PM CDT Sun Aug 23 2026/

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT WILL EXPIRE AT 11 PM EDT /10 PM CDT/
THIS EVENING...


$$

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 Northern Indiana wrote its last area forecast discussion before this beach hazards statement went out at Aug 21, 2:15 PM EDT, 8 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Isolated showers and storms possible east of I-69 this afternoon and evening.
  • 30-60% chances for scattered rain and storms arrive tonight through Saturday. An isolated strong storm capable of gusty winds and brief heavy rain is possible west of US-31 this evening and east of I-69 Saturday afternoon.
  • Dangerous swimming conditions expected for southeast Lake Michigan beaches on Saturday and Sunday with High Swim risks both days. Northwest winds will gust to 30 mph with waves of 3 to 5 feet.
  • Dry weather returns Sunday and Monday with below normal temperatures and low humidity.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 21, 2:15 PM EDT, 8 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
215 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Isolated showers and storms possible east of I-69 this
  afternoon and evening.

- 30-60% chances for scattered rain and storms arrive tonight through
  Saturday. An isolated strong storm capable of gusty winds and
  brief heavy rain is possible west of US-31 this evening and
  east of I-69 Saturday afternoon.

- Dangerous swimming conditions expected for southeast Lake
  Michigan beaches on Saturday and Sunday with High Swim risks
  both days. Northwest winds will gust to 30 mph with waves of 3
  to 5 feet.

- Dry weather returns Sunday and Monday with below normal
  temperatures and low humidity.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 132 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

An upper level low over the Hudson Bay will be the focus of the
forecast for the next 36-48 hours, as the attendant cold front with
this system sweeps through our area and brings periodic chances for
rain and storms tonight through early Sunday. Mainly dry conditions
are expected to continue this afternoon, however, isolated
showers and storms remain possible through sunset east of I-69
with a leading 500 mb shortwave associated with the upper level
low. Scattered cumulus development is already noted on visible
satellite imagery this afternoon. Isolated showers are also
likely in the vicinity of Lake Michigan this afternoon where a
dying convection complex from upstream is moving in. Into this
evening, with the cold front still back in Wisconsin and the
upper level trough expected to begin to dig into the Great
Lakes, we will have to watch what additional development there
is upstream over southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. CAMs
are in fairly good agreement in a cluster of storms developing
this evening to our northwest and diving southeast after sunset.
Given that shear and instability will wane after sunset, these
storms should be diminishing by the time they reach northwest
and north central Indiana tonight. Can't rule out an isolated
gusty storm or two but not expecting much if any severe threat.
Locations along and east of I-69 will remain dry until daybreak
Saturday.

Showers gradually become more numerous as the front pushes eastward
and as the upper level trough amplifies during the morning and early
afternoon hours on Saturday. Have maintained PoPs between 30-60% on
Saturday, with the highest chances in northwest Ohio. With the front
expected to come through between the morning and early afternoon
hours, this is not the most favorable diurnal timeframe for storms.
Again, can't rule out an isolated strong storm or two (especially in
northwest Ohio) as a corridor of up to 1500 MLCAPE could develop
east of I-69, but the likelihood of organized severe weather
tomorrow is low given marginal shear of 20-30 kts and poor low/mid
level lapse rates. With a tightening pressure gradient and strong
cyclonic flow on the backside of the departing front on Saturday
evening, I wouldn't be surprised if widely scattered lake effect
showers develop downwind of Lake Michigan for several hours late
Saturday into early Sunday. Winds will be breezy out of the
northwest through the remainder of the weekend with northwest winds
gusting as high as 25 to 30 mph.

The aforementioned frontal passage is expected to stir up southern
Lake Michigan, generating large waves and dangerous currents
throughout the weekend. Northwest, onshore flow with northwest winds
gusting to 30 mph will allow for waves to build to 3 to 5 feet with
strong currents expected. High Swim Risks will be in place both days
this weekend. Beach Hazards Statements will need to be issued this
afternoon for Berrien and La Porte counties at least for Saturday.
There will be a lull in winds and possibly waves overnight before
dangerous conditions ramp up again into Sunday, with additional
headlines likely needed. Heed beach flags/lifeguards and stay
out of the water!

High pressure builds into the Great Lakes and Midwest regions again
by Sunday, giving us the first taste of fall as temperatures and
dewpoints fall to comfortable levels. Temperatures will be slightly
below normal on Sunday and Monday with highs in the low to mid 70s
with northwest flow behind the cold frontal passage. A few crisp
nights are ahead Sunday night and Monday night with lows in the low
to mid 50s. With much drier air building in, dewpoints only in the
50s will make for several nice days! Another cold front moves in
Wednesday with low chances (20-30%) for rain/storms maintained.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/...
Issued at 137 PM EDT Fri Aug 21 2026

Mainly VFR conditions expected through at least 05z Sat for
both TAF sites. There is a possibility of an isolated
shower/storm for KFWA later this afternoon however, confidence
is pretty low on this occurrence so did leave mention out of the
TAF. After 05z a frontal passage pushing northwest to southeast
will increase chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms
bringing periods of MVFR vsbys/cigs for both TAF sites. KSBN
will see conditions begin to improve first by late morning after
15z Sat with scattered showers possible for KFWA through the
remainder of this TAF period after 13z Sat.

&&

.IWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
IN...None.
OH...None.
MI...None.
MARINE...None.

&&

DISCUSSION...Johnson
AVIATION...Andersen

The office that day

Everything else NWS Northern Indiana issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 21, 2:24 PM EDTSmall Craft AdvisoryIWX57 hr

Nearby

Beach Hazards Statements in Michigan, 2026Beach Hazards Statements in Indiana, 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.