Lake Temperatures

Lake Erie

The reported Lake Erie water temperature is taken at the Buffalo Water Treatment Plant located on Lake Erie at the entrance to the Niagara River. The reading is taken at a depth of 30 feet. This data is unofficial.

Lake Ontario

The reported Lake Ontario water temperature is taken at the Monroe County Water Treatment Plant near Greece, N.Y. The temperatures is measured at the intake pipes about 1500 feet offshore at a approximate depth of 35 feet. The Lake Ontario temperature occasionally may not be representative of the surface temperature due to upwelling. This process, more common during the summer months, brings colder water from the deeper parts of the lake toward the surface near the temperature sensor. The surface water may be significantly warmer. This data is unofficial.

Latest Lake Temperatures

1003 AM EST Tue Nov 4 2025 The water temperature off Buffalo is 53 degrees.

1003 AM EST Tue Nov 4 2025 The water temperature off Rochester is 51 degrees.

Monthly Lake Erie Temperatures
January	February	March	April	May	June	July	August	September	October	November	December

Historical Lake Erie Temperatures (Unofficial Normals and Extremes)

The daily lake temperatures for Lake Erie off Buffalo and for Lake Ontario off Rochester are included in the Nearshore Marine Forecast.

Click the link for previous versions of the Nearshore Marine Forecast.

NearShore Marine Forecast

088
FZUS51 KBUF 050303
NSHBUF

Nearshore Marine Forecast
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
1003 PM EST Tue Nov 4 2025

For waters within five nautical miles of shore

Waves are the significant wave height - the average of the highest
1/3 of the wave spectrum. Occasional wave height is the average of
the highest 1/10 of the wave spectrum.

LEZ020-051000-
Upper Niagara River and Buffalo Harbor-
1003 PM EST Tue Nov 4 2025

.REST OF TONIGHT...Southwest winds 10 knots or less becoming
south. Mostly cloudy.
.WEDNESDAY...South winds 10 to 15 knots becoming west and
increasing to 30 knots in the afternoon. Showers in the
afternoon.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Northwest winds to 30 knots becoming west and
diminishing to 10 to 15 knots. Rain showers.
.THURSDAY...Northwest winds 5 to 15 knots becoming west. A chance
of rain showers in the morning.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Southwest winds 10 knots or less becoming south
10 to 15 knots. Mostly cloudy.
.FRIDAY...South winds 15 to 20 knots becoming west 10 to
15 knots. Rain showers.
.SATURDAY...Northwest winds 5 to 15 knots becoming east 10 knots
or less. A chance of rain showers.
.SUNDAY...Southwest winds 5 to 15 knots becoming northwest. Rain
showers likely during the day, then rain and snow showers likely
Sunday night.

The water temperature off Buffalo is 53 degrees.

$$

LOZ030-051000-
Lower Niagara River-
1003 PM EST Tue Nov 4 2025

.REST OF TONIGHT...Southwest winds 10 knots or less becoming
south. Mostly cloudy.
.WEDNESDAY...South winds 10 to 15 knots becoming west and
increasing to 30 knots in the afternoon. A chance of showers in
the morning, then showers in the afternoon.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Northwest winds 15 to 25 knots diminishing to
10 to 15 knots. Rain showers likely.
.THURSDAY...Northwest winds 5 to 10 knots becoming west. A chance
of rain showers in the morning.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Southwest winds 10 knots or less becoming
south. Mostly cloudy.
.FRIDAY...South winds 15 to 20 knots becoming west and
diminishing to around 10 knots. Showers.
.SATURDAY...Northwest winds 10 knots or less becoming east. A
chance of rain showers.
.SUNDAY...Northeast winds 5 to 15 knots becoming northwest. Rain
showers likely during the day, then rain and snow showers likely
Sunday night.

$$

LEZ040-041-051000-
Buffalo to Ripley along Lake Erie-
1003 PM EST Tue Nov 4 2025

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM EST WEDNESDAY THROUGH
WEDNESDAY EVENING...

.REST OF TONIGHT...Southwest winds 15 to 20 knots becoming south.
Mostly cloudy. Waves 3 to 5 feet subsiding to 1 to 3 feet. Waves
occasionally around 6 feet.
.WEDNESDAY...South winds 15 to 20 knots becoming west and
increasing to 40 knot gales in the afternoon. Showers in the
afternoon. Waves 2 to 4 feet building to 10 to 14 feet. Waves
occasionally around 18 feet.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Northwest gales to 40 knots diminishing to
15 to 25 knots. Showers. Waves 10 to 14 feet subsiding to 5 to
9 feet. Waves occasionally around 18 feet.
.THURSDAY...Northwest winds 15 to 20 knots becoming west 5 to
15 knots. Showers likely in the morning. Waves 3 to 6 feet
subsiding to 1 to 3 feet. Waves occasionally around 7 feet.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Southwest winds 5 to 15 knots becoming south
15 to 20 knots. Mostly cloudy. Waves 1 foot or less building to
1 to 3 feet.
.FRIDAY...South winds 15 to 25 knots becoming west. Showers.
Waves 3 to 5 feet building to 4 to 7 feet, then subsiding to 3 to
6 feet. Waves occasionally around 9 feet.
.SATURDAY...Northwest winds 5 to 15 knots becoming east. Showers
likely. Waves 2 to 4 feet subsiding to 1 to 3 feet.
.SUNDAY...West winds 15 to 25 knots becoming northwest. Rain
showers during the day, then rain and snow showers Sunday night.
Waves 2 to 4 feet building to 4 to 7 feet, then subsiding to 3 to
5 feet. Waves occasionally around 9 feet.

$$

LOZ042-051000-
Niagara River to Hamlin Beach along Lake Ontario-
1003 PM EST Tue Nov 4 2025

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.REST OF TONIGHT...Southwest winds 5 to 15 knots becoming south.
Mostly cloudy. Waves 2 to 4 feet subsiding to 1 to 3 feet.
.WEDNESDAY...South winds 10 to 15 knots becoming west and
increasing to 35 knot gales in the afternoon. A chance of showers
in the morning, then showers in the afternoon. Waves 2 feet or
less building to 8 to 11 feet. Waves occasionally around 14 feet.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Northwest gales to 35 knots diminishing to
15 to 25 knots. Rain showers. Waves 11 to 15 feet subsiding to
6 to 9 feet. Waves occasionally around 19 feet.
.THURSDAY...Northwest winds 15 to 20 knots becoming west 10 to
15 knots. A chance of rain showers in the morning. Waves 4 to
7 feet subsiding to 1 to 3 feet. Waves occasionally around
9 feet.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...West winds 5 to 15 knots becoming south. Mostly
cloudy. Waves 2 feet or less.
.FRIDAY...South winds 15 to 25 knots becoming west and
diminishing to 10 to 15 knots. Rain showers. Waves 1 to 3 feet
building to 3 to 5 feet. Waves occasionally around 6 feet.
.SATURDAY...Northwest winds 5 to 15 knots becoming east. A chance
of rain showers. Waves 3 to 5 feet subsiding to 1 to 2 feet.
Waves occasionally around 6 feet.
.SUNDAY...Northeast winds 10 to 15 knots becoming northwest and
increasing to 15 to 25 knots. Rain showers likely during the day,
then rain and snow showers likely Sunday night. Waves 2 to 4 feet
building to 3 to 6 feet. Waves occasionally around 7 feet.

$$

LOZ043-051000-
Hamlin Beach to Sodus Bay along Lake Ontario
including Irondequoit Bay-
1003 PM EST Tue Nov 4 2025

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.REST OF TONIGHT...West winds 15 to 20 knots becoming south and
diminishing to 5 to 10 knots. Partly cloudy late this evening,
then becoming mostly cloudy. Waves 3 to 5 feet subsiding to 1 to
3 feet. Waves occasionally around 6 feet.
.WEDNESDAY...South winds 10 to 15 knots becoming southwest and
increasing to 30 knots in the afternoon. A chance of showers in
the morning, then showers in the afternoon. Waves 1 to 3 feet
building to 6 to 9 feet. Waves occasionally around 11 feet.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...West gales to 35 knots becoming northwest and
diminishing to 15 to 25 knots overnight. Showers. Waves 12 to
16 feet subsiding to 8 to 11 feet. Waves occasionally around
20 feet.
.THURSDAY...Northwest winds 15 to 25 knots becoming west. A
chance of rain showers in the morning. Waves 6 to 9 feet
subsiding to 3 to 6 feet. Waves occasionally around 11 feet.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...West winds 5 to 15 knots becoming south. Mostly
cloudy. Waves 2 to 4 feet subsiding to 1 foot or less.
.FRIDAY...South winds 15 to 20 knots becoming west. Rain showers.
Waves 1 to 3 feet building to 3 to 5 feet. Waves occasionally
around 6 feet.
.SATURDAY...Northwest winds 15 to 20 knots becoming east 5 to
15 knots. Rain showers likely during the day, then a chance of
rain showers Saturday night. Waves 3 to 6 feet subsiding to 1 to
3 feet. Waves occasionally around 7 feet.
.SUNDAY...South winds 10 to 15 knots becoming northwest 15 to
20 knots. Rain showers likely during the day, then rain showers
likely with a chance of snow showers Sunday night. Waves 2 feet
or less building to 4 to 7 feet. Waves occasionally around
9 feet.

The water temperature off Rochester is 51 degrees.

$$

LOZ044-051000-
Sodus Bay to Mexico Bay along Lake Ontario-
1003 PM EST Tue Nov 4 2025

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.REST OF TONIGHT...Northwest winds 15 to 20 knots becoming south
5 to 15 knots. Partly cloudy late this evening, then becoming
mostly cloudy. Waves 3 to 5 feet subsiding to 2 to 3 feet. Waves
occasionally around 6 feet.
.WEDNESDAY...South winds 10 to 15 knots becoming southwest and
increasing to 30 knots in the afternoon. A chance of showers in
the morning, then showers in the afternoon. Waves 1 to 3 feet
building to 5 to 8 feet. Waves occasionally around 10 feet.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...West gales to 35 knots becoming northwest and
diminishing to 30 knots overnight. Showers. Waves 12 to 17 feet
subsiding to 8 to 11 feet. Waves occasionally around 22 feet.
.THURSDAY...Northwest winds 15 to 25 knots becoming west. Rain
showers likely in the morning, then a chance of rain showers in
the afternoon. Waves 6 to 9 feet subsiding to 3 to 5 feet. Waves
occasionally around 11 feet.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...West winds 5 to 15 knots becoming south. Mostly
cloudy. Waves 2 to 4 feet subsiding to 1 to 2 feet.
.FRIDAY...South winds 15 to 25 knots becoming southwest. Rain
showers. Waves 1 to 3 feet building to 3 to 6 feet. Waves
occasionally around 7 feet.
.SATURDAY...Northwest winds 15 to 20 knots becoming south 5 to
15 knots. Rain showers during the day, then a chance of rain
showers Saturday night. Waves 3 to 6 feet subsiding to 1 to
3 feet. Waves occasionally around 7 feet.
.SUNDAY...South winds 10 to 15 knots becoming northwest 15 to
20 knots. Rain showers during the day, then rain showers with
snow showers likely Sunday night. Waves 2 feet or less building
to 4 to 7 feet. Waves occasionally around 9 feet.

$$

LOZ045-051000-
Mexico Bay to the Saint Lawrence River along Lake Ontario-
1003 PM EST Tue Nov 4 2025

...GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT...

.REST OF TONIGHT...West winds 15 to 20 knots becoming southwest
5 to 15 knots. Mainly clear late this evening, then becoming
mostly cloudy. Waves 3 to 5 feet subsiding to 1 to 3 feet. Waves
occasionally around 6 feet.
.WEDNESDAY...South winds 10 to 15 knots becoming southwest and
increasing to 30 knots in the afternoon. A chance of showers in
the morning, then showers in the afternoon. Waves 1 to 3 feet
building to 5 to 8 feet. Waves occasionally around 10 feet.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...West gales to 35 knots becoming northwest and
diminishing to 30 knots overnight. Rain showers. Waves 10 to
15 feet subsiding to 6 to 9 feet. Waves occasionally around
19 feet.
.THURSDAY...Northwest winds 15 to 25 knots becoming west. Rain
showers likely in the morning. Waves 4 to 7 feet subsiding to
2 to 4 feet. Waves occasionally around 9 feet.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...West winds 5 to 15 knots becoming south. Partly
cloudy in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy. Waves 2 to
4 feet subsiding to 1 to 3 feet.
.FRIDAY...South winds 15 to 25 knots becoming southwest 15 to
20 knots. Rain showers. Waves 2 to 4 feet building to 4 to
7 feet, then subsiding to 3 to 6 feet. Waves occasionally around
9 feet.
.SATURDAY...Northwest winds 15 to 20 knots becoming east 5 to
15 knots. Rain showers during the day, then a chance of rain
showers Saturday night. Waves 3 to 6 feet subsiding to 2 feet or
less. Waves occasionally around 7 feet.
.SUNDAY...South winds 10 to 15 knots becoming northwest 15 to
20 knots. Rain showers during the day, then rain showers with
snow showers likely Sunday night. Waves 2 feet or less building
to 4 to 7 feet, then subsiding to 3 to 6 feet. Waves occasionally
around 9 feet.

$$