Gale warning prompts closure of Lake Shore Drive bike path

By Elliott Ramos
Gale warning prompts closure of Lake Shore Drive bike path
A biker struggles against strong waves on the Lake Shore Drive bike path Friday morning. Video still courtesy of NBC Chicago
Gale warning prompts closure of Lake Shore Drive bike path
A biker struggles against strong waves on the Lake Shore Drive bike path Friday morning. Video still courtesy of NBC Chicago

Gale warning prompts closure of Lake Shore Drive bike path

By Elliott Ramos
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The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued a gale warning Friday morning, which is in effect until 1 a.m. Saturday morning. 

(National Weather Service)
The warning was prompted by high winds, which have created massive waves that have crashed on to the Lake Shore Drive bike path.  The Chicago Police Department has closed the path, and has set up blockades from Oak Street Beach to Fullerton Avenue.  There have been no reported injuries from the waves, according to Police News Affairs Officer Mike Sullivan.

During this gale warning, the winds can reach up to 45 knots, which can be up upwards of 50mph.  The weather service anticipates waves up to 20 feet and said they can even reach upwards of 30 feet.

The police department said the blockades will remain until weather conditions improve.

Twitter group Active Trans LFT (@activetransLFT) regularly tracks conditions for those using the Lake Shore Drive path, and have been providing updates to and from users under the hashtag #CHILFT.