Hundreds of Thousands of People Warned to 'Stay Out of the Water'
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More than 200,000 beachgoers and swimmers along the coast of Lake Ontario in New York were told to stay out of the water on Monday morning amid dangerous lake conditions.
Why It Matters
The Great Lakes, including Lake Ontario near Buffalo, are premier recreation destinations in the United States, especially during summer months when swimmers frequent local beaches, despite the region's historically cold water temperatures early in the season.
The urgency of the warning follows a reported 42 drownings so far this year across the Great Lakes, underscoring the persistent risks associated with swimming in these waters when weather makes for dangerous conditions. Although most fatalities have occurred at Lake Michigan, life-threatening incidents are possible at all of the Great Lakes, and local officials emphasize prevention and public awareness as critical during peak beach season
What to Know
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a warning early Monday for residents and visitors in Wayne, Northern Cayuga, and Oswego counties in the Buffalo, New York, forecast region, cautioning them to stay out of Lake Ontario waters due to strong currents and hazardous swimming conditions. The advisory remained in effect until 11 a.m. local time on Monday.
The Beach Hazards Statement specifically warned of "strong currents and dangerous swimming conditions" that could threaten beachgoers in affected counties. The NWS advised people to stay out of the water to avoid potentially life-threatening situations.
A person stands on the beach of Lake Ontario in Toronto on September 14, 2023.
A person stands on the beach of Lake Ontario in Toronto on September 14, 2023.
Valerie Macon/Getty
The NWS's Beach Hazards Statement warned that strong lake currents posed direct threats to swimmers, surfers, and other water enthusiasts in Wayne, Northern Cayuga, and Oswego counties. Similar advisories have been issued across other states bordering the Great Lakes earlier this month, including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, among others.
NWS meteorologist Aaron Reynolds told Newsweek that both rip currents and longshore currents posed a risk in the Buffalo area on Monday, although longshore currents were the strongest issue.
Reynolds added that winds of 15 to 20 knots, which are 17 to 23 mph, were generating waves of 3 to 5 feet.
"Because of that, you can have some strong rip currents," he said.
The winds are worse when low-pressure systems move into the area, Reynolds said. However, high pressure is building, which means once the beach hazards statement expires, it likely won't be issued again for at least the next few days.
Although the water-related threat is subsiding, a warming trend will soon begin, Reynolds said, which could bring dangerous high temperatures to the region.
What People Are Saying
NWS Buffalo beach hazards statement: "Stay out of the water to avoid dangerous swimming conditions."
NWS Buffalo in a hazardous weather outlook: "Hot and humid conditions are forecast for Thursday, when apparent temperatures could potentially reach the mid 90s to lower 100s across the area. If realized, such conditions would result in an increased risk of heat-related illnesses."
What Happens Next
While the beach hazards statement for the Buffalo, New York, region was scheduled to expire at 11 a.m. EDT on Monday, officials continued to urge the public to respect all posted advisories and monitor updates from the NWS as weather and water conditions could change rapidly.
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