High winds causing large waves close lakefront path

Howling winds are whipping bitterly cold air across the Chicago area, and crews were forced to shut down the lake path due to large waves.

Right near North Avenue Beach, the warnings are in place. Heavy winds kicking up waves in some areas as high as 14 feet, causing enough concern to bring access to parts of the lakefront trail to a close.

But the wind and posted signs were not enough to keep Malanie Dunea from showing her visiting friend from France all that the windy city has to offer.

The National Weather Service predicted a storm surge could raise lake levels by as much as 2 feet, a concern that caused police to block some lanes on Lake Shore Drive where waves could become strong enough to dump on traffic.

At Oak Street Beach, fears of icy walkways caused part of the trail to be closed by barricade, while winds pushed water onto another portion.

Beaches on Ohio Street and North Avenue were closed as well.    

There is also a lakefront flood advisor for Cook County and Lake, and Porter counties in Indiana until 4 am Saturday morning.

The trails on the beaches will remain closed through Saturday morning when the city's park district will salt and re-evaluate.