CHICAGO (STMW) – Safety concerns from high waves and rip currents have caused Evanston to close its beaches for a second day in a row.

All six of Evanston’s beaches, including the dog beach at Church Street, were closed Friday, according to a release from the city. On Saturday, the beaches remained closed for swimming, but the sand area of the dog beach was open. Still, dogs will not be allowed to go into the water today.

The National Weather Service has issued a statement saying there is a high risk of rip currents along the lakefront through 10 p.m. Saturday.

On Friday the Chicago Park District enacted swim bans at most city beaches and swim advisories at the others because of the dangerous conditions.

Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore, according to the weather service. High wave action and dangerous swimming conditions are expected through Saturday at beaches throughout the area, as well as in southwest Michigan and northwest Indiana.

The weather service has also issued a small craft advisory, in effect until 10 p.m. Saturday, along the lake for an area ranging from Winthrop Harbor on the north to Michigan City, Ind. The weather services forecasts waves of 6 to 9 feet high along the Illinois lakeshore and 9 to 12 feet, which will subside to 6 to 9 feet, along the Indiana lakeshore.

© Sun-Times Media Wire Chicago Sun-Times 2012. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.