Dangerous lakefront waves could reach 13 feet high: forecasters

Swimmers and boaters are urged to avoid Lake Michigan while windy weather kicks up powerful, dangerous waves.

A small water craft advisory is in effect until 4 p.m. Wednesday from Wilmette to Calumet Harbor, according to the National Weather Service.

Meanwhile, a lakeshore flood advisory in Chicago remains in effect until 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Northerly winds could reach 30 knots and waves as high as 13 feet tall, the weather service warned.

“Inexperienced mariners ... especially those operating smaller vessels should avoid navigating in these conditions,” meteorologists said in the weather service’s advisory.

Earlier Monday, the weather service warned of a “waterspout” threat to boaters, referring to a rotating column of water formed by a whirlwind over water.

While the waterspout warning expired at 9:15 a.m. Monday, a threat of high wind and waves remained.

There’s a 40% chance of rain in Chicago for the rest of Monday, the weather service said.

The remainder of the week is forecast to be dry until Friday night, when there’s a slight risk of thunderstorms.