Milwaukee City Wire

In the days leading up to the recent Memorial Day weekend, the U.S. Coast Guard warned the public about potentially hazardous weather conditions on Lake Michigan.

The National Weather Service made several beach-hazard and small-craft warnings due to conditions such as rip currents, stormy weather, high waves, fast winds and dense fog, WISN 12 Milwaukee reported.

"(It's) not safe to get in the water," Teresa Coronado, outreach and development director for the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center, told WISN 12 Milwaukee. "The rip current itself is dangerous because it will pull you out further than you want to go, and there's a high risk of drowning with rip currents."

The currents and stormy conditions were not the only safety risks to keep in mind at the lake, WISN 12 Milwaukee reported.

"The water itself not being above 50 degrees, you will get hypothermia," Coronado said. "So if people are wanting to put their feet in, or maybe to go halfway up to their knees, that's probably fine, but anything more than that you're really risking getting yourself into some trouble."

Bradford Beach is currently facing its third straight year untended by lifeguards due to an ongoing personnel shortage, WISN 12 Milwaukee reported.

"I think it's unfortunate because they are here for safety, but it also reminds parents if they do come they need to be cognizant and focused," beachgoer Carrie Malnor told WISN 12 Milwaukee. "Just taking the water seriously."