DETROIT, MI-- The Coast Guard is cautioning people that while the weather might be warm, Great Lakes temperatures are still cold.
Officials say even if the air feels hot the water temperatures of Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron are only in the high 30s to low 50s.
Mike Baron, Recreational Boating and Water Safety Specialist for the 9th Coast Guard District, says water as warm as 76 degrees is still considered cold an is a significant risk for those unprepared for sudden immersion.
Officials say always follow these cold water safety tips: always wear a life jacket; dress appropriately for water temperatures and not air temps; always tell family and friends where you’re going and when you’ll be back; never go out on the water alone; wear reflective clothing; and carry and register a personal locator beacon to alert the Coast Guard of potential distress.
