Oct. 04--A ripple effect from Hurricane Joaquin led to waves pounding the Lake Michigan shoreline, prompting a gale warning on the lake and a flood warning on the lakefront, according to the National Weather Service.
Strong northeast winds gusting to 30 to 35 mph are causing high waves along the lakefront. The highest waves so far peaked around 10-1/2 feet Friday night, but the waves have consistently been around 7 and 8 feet on Saturday, said meteorologist Ben Deubelbeiss.
A gale warning is effect for Lake Michigan until 11 p.m., as is a lakefront flood warning for Cook and Lake counties in Illinois.
Chicago is caught between Hurricane Joaquin, which is battering the East Coast, and a strong area of high pressure over Hudson Bay in Canada, Deubelbeiss said.
Inexperienced boaters on Lake Michigan without equipment should seek safe harbor due to the gale warning, the National Weather Service said.
The Chicago area should see lows around 50 degrees Saturday night, with a chance of rain before 7 a.m. A warming trend is expected to start Sunday, when it's expected to be cloudy with highs in the lower 60s.
Although the workweek should start with highs in the upper 60s, it's forecast to remain in mostly cloudy Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday should be mostly sunny, with highs around 70.
Warm temperatures are expected to persist into Thursday, when rain may return. Highs in the 60s are expected Friday and Saturday.
For more detailed weather forecasts, check the Tribune's weather page.
gpratt@tribpub.com
