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

1013 AM EDT Thu Apr 2 2026 The water temperature off Buffalo is 32 degrees.

1013 AM EDT Thu Apr 2 2026 The water temperature off Rochester is 39 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

226
FZUS51 KBUF 022012
NSHBUF

Nearshore Marine Forecast
National Weather Service Buffalo NY
411 PM EDT Thu Apr 2 2026

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.

LEZ020-030300-
Upper Niagara River and Buffalo Harbor-
411 PM EDT Thu Apr 2 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH
FRIDAY AFTERNOON...

.TONIGHT...East winds 5 to 15 knots becoming south 15 to
20 knots. A chance of showers early, then a chance of showers and
thunderstorms. Showers likely late.
.FRIDAY...Southwest winds 15 to 25 knots. A chance of showers in
the morning.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...West winds 10 to 15 knots becoming northeast less
than 10 knots. Partly to mostly cloudy.
.SATURDAY...Northeast winds 5 to 10 knots becoming southeast. A
chance of rain showers in the morning, then rain showers with a
chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...South winds 5 to 15 knots becoming southwest.
Showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then
showers overnight.
.SUNDAY...West winds 10 to 15 knots. Rain showers during the day.
.MONDAY...West winds 10 knots or less. A chance of snow showers
Monday night.
.TUESDAY...Northwest winds 10 knots or less becoming northeast. A
chance of snow showers during the day.

Winds and waves higher in and near thunderstorms.

The water temperature off Buffalo is 32 degrees.

$$

LOZ030-030300-
Lower Niagara River-
411 PM EDT Thu Apr 2 2026

.TONIGHT...East winds 10 to 15 knots becoming south 15 to
20 knots. A chance of showers early, then a chance of showers and
thunderstorms. Showers likely late.
.FRIDAY...Southwest winds 15 to 25 knots becoming west. A chance
of showers in the morning.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...West winds 5 to 15 knots becoming northeast less
than 10 knots. Partly to mostly cloudy.
.SATURDAY...Northeast winds 5 to 10 knots becoming east. A chance
of rain showers in the morning, then rain showers with a chance
of thunderstorms in the afternoon.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...Southeast winds 5 to 15 knots becoming
southwest. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening,
then showers overnight.
.SUNDAY...West winds 10 to 15 knots. Rain showers during the day.
.MONDAY...West winds 5 to 10 knots becoming northwest. A chance
of snow showers Monday night.
.TUESDAY...North winds 10 knots or less becoming northeast. A
chance of snow showers during the day.

Winds and waves higher in and near thunderstorms.

$$

LEZ041-030300-
Dunkirk to Buffalo along Lake Erie-
411 PM EDT Thu Apr 2 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING
THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON...

.TONIGHT...Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots becoming south and
increasing to 15 to 25 knots. A chance of showers and
thunderstorms this evening, then a chance of showers after
midnight. Showers likely late. The lake is mostly ice covered.
.FRIDAY...South winds 15 to 20 knots becoming southwest. A chance
of showers.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Southwest winds 10 knots or less becoming
northeast. A chance of rain showers overnight.
.SATURDAY...Northeast winds 10 knots or less becoming south. Rain
showers likely in the morning, then rain showers with a chance of
thunderstorms in the afternoon.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...South winds 5 to 15 knots becoming southwest.
Showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then
showers overnight.
.SUNDAY...West winds 15 to 20 knots diminishing to 10 to
15 knots. Rain showers during the day.
.MONDAY...West winds 5 to 15 knots. A chance of snow showers
Monday night.
.TUESDAY...Northwest winds 10 knots or less becoming northeast. A
chance of snow showers during the day.

Winds and waves higher in and near thunderstorms.

Waves omitted due to the lake being mostly ice covered.

$$

LEZ040-030300-
Ripley to Dunkirk along Lake Erie-
411 PM EDT Thu Apr 2 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING
THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON...

.TONIGHT...Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots becoming south and
increasing to 15 to 25 knots. A chance of showers and
thunderstorms through the early overnight, then showers likely
with a chance of thunderstorms late. Waves 1 foot or less
building to 1 to 3 feet.
.FRIDAY...South winds 15 to 20 knots becoming southwest 10 to
15 knots. Showers likely in the morning, then a chance of showers
in the afternoon. Waves 2 to 4 feet.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Southwest winds 10 knots or less becoming
northeast. A chance of rain showers overnight. Waves 1 to 3 feet.
.SATURDAY...Northeast winds 5 to 10 knots becoming south. Rain
showers likely in the morning, then rain showers with a chance of
thunderstorms in the afternoon. Waves 1 foot or less.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...South winds 10 to 15 knots becoming southwest
15 to 20 knots. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the
evening, then showers overnight. Waves 1 to 3 feet.
.SUNDAY...West winds 15 to 20 knots diminishing to 10 to
15 knots. Rain showers during the day. Waves 2 to 4 feet building
to 3 to 6 feet, then subsiding to 2 to 4 feet. Waves occasionally
around 7 feet.
.MONDAY...West winds 5 to 15 knots. A chance of snow and rain
showers Monday night. Waves 1 to 3 feet.
.TUESDAY...Northwest winds 5 to 15 knots becoming northeast less
than 10 knots. A chance of snow showers during the day. Waves
2 feet or less.

Winds and waves higher in and near thunderstorms.

$$

LOZ042-030300-
Niagara River to Hamlin Beach along Lake Ontario-
411 PM EDT Thu Apr 2 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING...

.TONIGHT...East winds 15 to 20 knots becoming south. A chance of
showers early, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms.
Showers likely late. Waves 3 to 6 feet subsiding to 1 to 3 feet.
Waves occasionally around 7 feet.
.FRIDAY...Southwest winds 15 to 25 knots becoming west. A chance
of showers in the morning. Waves 2 to 4 feet building to 3 to
5 feet. Waves occasionally around 6 feet.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...West winds 15 to 20 knots becoming northeast 5 to
15 knots. Partly to mostly cloudy. Waves 3 to 5 feet subsiding to
1 to 3 feet. Waves occasionally around 6 feet.
.SATURDAY...East winds 10 to 15 knots increasing to 15 to
20 knots. A chance of rain showers in the morning, then rain
showers in the afternoon. Waves 1 to 3 feet building to 2 to
4 feet.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...East winds 10 to 15 knots becoming southwest
15 to 20 knots. Showers. Waves 2 to 4 feet.
.SUNDAY...West winds 15 to 25 knots. Rain showers during the day.
Waves 3 to 6 feet building to 4 to 7 feet. Waves occasionally
around 9 feet.
.MONDAY...West winds 15 to 20 knots becoming northwest. A chance
of snow showers Monday night. Waves 4 to 7 feet subsiding to 1 to
3 feet. Waves occasionally around 9 feet.
.TUESDAY...North winds 15 to 20 knots diminishing to 10 to
15 knots. A chance of snow showers during the day. Waves 3 to
5 feet subsiding to 1 to 3 feet. Waves occasionally around
6 feet.

Winds and waves higher in and near thunderstorms.

$$

LOZ043-030300-
Hamlin Beach to Sodus Bay along Lake Ontario
including Irondequoit Bay-
411 PM EDT Thu Apr 2 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING...

.TONIGHT...Southeast winds 15 to 25 knots becoming south. A
chance of showers after midnight. Showers likely late. Waves 3 to
5 feet subsiding to 2 to 4 feet. Waves occasionally around
6 feet.
.FRIDAY...South winds 15 to 25 knots becoming west. Showers
likely in the morning. Waves 2 to 4 feet.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...West winds 15 to 20 knots becoming north and
diminishing to less than 10 knots overnight. Mostly cloudy. Waves
2 to 4 feet subsiding to 1 to 3 feet.
.SATURDAY...Northeast winds 10 to 15 knots becoming east. A
chance of rain showers in the morning, then rain showers likely
in the afternoon. Waves 1 to 3 feet.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...Southeast winds 10 to 15 knots becoming
southwest 15 to 20 knots. Showers. Waves 1 to 3 feet.
.SUNDAY...West winds 15 to 25 knots. Rain showers during the day.
Waves 3 to 6 feet building to 5 to 9 feet. Waves occasionally
around 11 feet.
.MONDAY...West winds 15 to 25 knots becoming northwest 15 to
20 knots. A chance of snow showers Monday night. Waves 5 to
8 feet subsiding to 2 to 4 feet. Waves occasionally around
10 feet.
.TUESDAY...North winds 15 to 20 knots. A chance of snow showers
during the day. Waves 3 to 5 feet subsiding to 2 to 4 feet. Waves
occasionally around 6 feet.

The water temperature off Rochester is 39 degrees.

$$

LOZ044-030300-
Sodus Bay to Mexico Bay along Lake Ontario-
411 PM EDT Thu Apr 2 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING
THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING...

.TONIGHT...Southeast winds 15 to 25 knots becoming south to
30 knots. A chance of showers early. Showers with a chance of
thunderstorms after midnight. Waves 1 to 3 feet building to 3 to
5 feet. Waves occasionally around 6 feet.
.FRIDAY...South winds 15 to 25 knots becoming southwest. Showers
likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the morning. Waves 2 to
4 feet.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...West winds 15 to 20 knots becoming north and
diminishing to less than 10 knots overnight. Mostly cloudy. Waves
3 to 5 feet subsiding to 1 to 3 feet. Waves occasionally around
6 feet.
.SATURDAY...Northeast winds 5 to 10 knots becoming east. A chance
of rain showers in the morning, then rain showers likely in the
afternoon. Waves 2 feet or less.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...Southeast winds 15 to 25 knots becoming
southwest. Showers. Waves 1 to 3 feet building to 2 to 4 feet.
.SUNDAY...West winds 15 to 20 knots increasing to 30 knots. Rain
showers during the day, then a chance of snow showers Sunday
night. Waves 3 to 6 feet building to 7 to 10 feet. Waves
occasionally around 13 feet.
.MONDAY...West winds 15 to 25 knots becoming northwest 15 to
20 knots. A chance of snow showers during the day. Waves 6 to
9 feet subsiding to 2 to 4 feet. Waves occasionally around
11 feet.
.TUESDAY...North winds 15 to 20 knots. A chance of snow showers
during the day. Waves 3 to 5 feet subsiding to 2 to 4 feet. Waves
occasionally around 6 feet.

Winds and waves higher in and near thunderstorms.

$$

LOZ045-030300-
Mexico Bay to the Saint Lawrence River along Lake Ontario-
411 PM EDT Thu Apr 2 2026

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING
THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING...

.TONIGHT...East winds 15 to 20 knots becoming south and
increasing to 30 knots. A chance of showers this evening, then
showers with a chance of thunderstorms after midnight. Waves 1 to
3 feet building to 4 to 7 feet. Waves occasionally around 9 feet.
.FRIDAY...South winds to 30 knots becoming southwest 15 to
25 knots. Showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the morning.
Waves 4 to 7 feet subsiding to 3 to 6 feet. Waves occasionally
around 9 feet.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...West winds 15 to 20 knots becoming north 5 to
15 knots. Partly cloudy. Waves 3 to 5 feet subsiding to 1 to
3 feet. Waves occasionally around 6 feet.
.SATURDAY...Northeast winds 5 to 10 knots becoming east. Rain
showers likely in the afternoon. Waves 2 feet or less.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...Southeast winds 15 to 20 knots becoming south
and increasing to 30 knots. Showers. Waves 1 to 3 feet building
to 3 to 6 feet. Waves occasionally around 7 feet.
.SUNDAY...Southwest winds 15 to 25 knots becoming west to
30 knots. Rain showers during the day, then a chance of snow
showers Sunday night. Waves 3 to 6 feet building to 7 to 10 feet.
Waves occasionally around 13 feet.
.MONDAY...West winds 15 to 25 knots becoming north and
diminishing to 10 to 15 knots. A chance of snow showers during
the day. Waves 6 to 9 feet subsiding to 1 to 3 feet. Waves
occasionally around 11 feet.
.TUESDAY...North winds 15 to 20 knots diminishing to 10 to
15 knots. A chance of snow showers during the day. Waves 1 to
3 feet.

Winds and waves higher in and near thunderstorms.

$$