Lakeshore gale warnings into Saturday

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The unofficial last weekend of the summer will feel more like the first weekend of fall, with cooler temperatures, gusting winds and waves as high as 14 feet on Lake Michigan.

There is a gale warning and wind advisory in effect along the lakeshore until 2 p.m. Saturday.

Storm Team 8 sees a strong west wind adding to the chill, with gusts between 30 and 35 miles per hour inland and near 40 mph at Lake Michigan, with scattered lake-enhanced showers, mainly in the afternoon.

On Friday night, the Frenzy games were challenging for kickers and quarterbacks as the winds continued to howl.

On the lake, waves built to between 5 and 8 feet Friday afternoon, with peaks around 10-14 feet into early Saturday. It will gradually subside Saturday afternoon.

David Oliver, a body boarder of 15 years, couldn't stay in the water too long.

"I think it's a little too choppy," he said. "It's pretty rough out there. It's hard to walk around. The current is really flowing fast south. It'll take you away in a hurry."

Red flags were up along the shore Friday evening, but dozens of people entered the water anyway. Even more watched from the pier, as the giant waves soaked them.

The sheriff's department warned -- it's too dangerous out there.

"You don't last out there," said Lt. Lee Hoeksema, of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department. "That water is dangerous."

The Coast Guard went out to look for a reported missing diver around 7 p.m., but it turned out to be a false alarm. Still, the sheriff's department is advising swimmers, boaters and surfers to stay out of the water.

The company that owns the SS Badger says the car ferry won't be sailing due to heavy winds and high waves on Lake Michigan.

The Badger runs between Ludington and Manitowoc, Wis., but its travels scheduled for Friday have been halted.

According to a report on the website of the Ludington Daily News, Lake Michigan Carferry says the "Badger was designed for severe weather conditions on the Great Lakes," but "today's sailing was canceled because of our concern for passenger comfort and safety."

The final run of the day on the Lake Express from Milwaukee to Muskegon was canceled Friday due to high wind and waves. No decision has been made on Saturday's trips.

Stay with Storm Team 8 for all the latest details.