By The Associated Press

MUNSTER — Winds that are expected to reach 40 mph and waves that could rise as high as 9 feet on Monday have prompted the National Weather Service to warn boaters to be especially careful if they head out onto Lake Michigan in Northwest Indiana.

The weather service issued gale warnings and small craft advisories for Lake Michigan along the lake in Northwest Indiana and surrounding areas. As of Monday morning, the small craft advisories were expected to last from 7 p.m. on Monday until 1 a.m. Tuesday in Lake and Porter counties and extend until 4 a.m. Tuesday in LaPorte County.

According to The Times of Northwest Indiana, g ale warnings were in effect between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday in Lake and Porter counties and from noon until 8 p.m. on Monday in LaPorte County.

The weather service asked that boaters without sufficient experience or proper equipment to stay off the lake while the advisories are in effect.

Also, the weather service's Great Lakes Beach Hazards map showed that forecasters have declared a high swim risk at Northwest Indiana beaches.