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Chicago beaches reopen today ahead of Memorial Day weekend
FOX 32's Brittany Garzillo reports...
CHICAGO - Waves up to 11-feet-tall were expected to hit Chicago shores Friday closing most beaches to swimming on the first day they were to be reopened since closing over a year ago because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Swimming was prohibited at most Chicago beaches when they opened 11 a.m. Friday, according to the Chicago Park District's website. Three South Side beaches were under a "swim advisory."
A "beach hazards" alert from the National Weather Service warned of "life-threatening" swimming conditions through Saturday, when waves would lessen to 8-feet tall.
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Lori Lightfoot welcomes Chicagoans back to city beaches
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Chicago Park District announced Wednesday that beaches would open Friday for the first time since September 2019.
The city on Friday shut down the lakefront trail between Oak and Ohio streets in Streeterville due to high waves.
Friday was the first time Chicago beaches were allowed to open to the public since Sept. 2, 2019, due to COVID-19 health and safety precautions.
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Morning forecast for Chicagoland on May 28th
FOX 32's Mike Caplan takes a peek at this weekend's weather outlook.