The lakefront bike and jogging path was closed this morning in the wake of warnings of high winds, high waves and lakeshore flooding.
A high wind warning is in effect for the Chicago area from 3 p.m. this afternoon to 10 a.m. tomorrow morning.
By about 3:45 p.m., waves crashing onto the lakewall east of Lake Shore Drive near Fullerton Avenue were reaching 15 feet high or higher. By 2 p.m., winds of about 41 mph were clocked at the Harrison Water Crib, about 3 miles east of the lakefront near Armitage Avenue, according to the National Weather Service. Gary Airport reported 24 mph winds and gusts of 47 mph.
In addition, a forecast of heavy rain and 14 to 25 foot waves has prompted a lakeshore flood warning from 3 p.m. today to 4 p.m. Thursday. Bikers and joggers were threatened with the same treacherous wave activity encountered on lakefront paths late last month, National Weather Service meteorologist Ben Deubelbeiss said.
The lakefront path was shut down from Fullerton to Grand avenues.
The National Weather Service said north to northeast winds of 40 to 45 mph with gusts up to 60 mph are likely. The strongest winds will be in areas adjacent to Lake Michigan.
Downed tree limbs and power lines are expected, and high-rise dwellers were advised to take in their balcony furniture to keep it from blowing away.
The chance of precipitation is 100 percent. Periods of heavy rain are possible this evening and tonight, with the heavier rain over northwest Indiana and portions of northeast Illinois east of the I-57 corridor.
In all, up to 2.5 inches of rain is expected.
Large waves crashing onto the shore likely will result in flooding this afternoon and tonight. Waves will build to 14 to 18 feet this afternoon and 20 to 25 feet tonight. Waves will gradually subside to less than 15 feet by late Thursday afternoon.
But the waves probably won't force closure of Lake Shore Drive. "The waves may come up on some of the bike paths with some spray on the roadway," said weather service meteorologist Deubelbeiss. "But waves aren't likely on Lake Shore Drive."
Rain is also likely tomorrow.
Today's high temperature will be around 50, although it will feel much colder because of the wind. The low tonight will be in the mid-40s.
