How the quick drop into Fall temperatures stacks against two-day cooldown records

SILVER BEACH, Mi. -- Michiana's location in respect to the great lakes helps give our area one of the most unique climatological profiles in the world.

Part of that uniquity comes from our ability to experience dramatic temperature swings in a short amount of time.

Over the next two days, we're forecasted to lose almost 20 degrees cumulatively as a cold front moves in.

If the forecast validates, it will be tied for the 6th largest cooldown this year.

The largest temperature drop recorded over two days was back in February 2006, when South Bend dropped from 59F to 5F for a total of a -54F change.

On top of the rapid cooldown, the presence of low pressure to the north will stir up the lake heading into the weekend.

With most low-pressure systems that develop storms and wind, lake conditions tend to worsen.

That deterioration will take a bit longer with this system over the next several days though, mostly due to the position of the cold front and the more northern low above us.

Because wind flows along isobars towards a low, southwesterly winds will be blowing against the lake, reducing the likelihood of taller waves as we enter the weekend.

For higher wave heights, winds must be blowing from the north or northeast uninterrupted over open lake waters.

Eventually, the low moves to the east of Michiana over the weekend causing a change to westerly winds that will trigger some increased wave heights along the beaches of Lake Michigan's eastern shore.

With most lifeguard staffs disbanded because of the time of year, use extra caution when participating in lake-based activities.