WFO Chicago Marine Weather Page

Few people are affected more by weather than the mariner. An unexpected change in winds, seas, or visibility can reduce the efficiency of marine operations and threaten the safety of a vessel and its crew. The National Weather Service (NWS), a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), provides marine warnings and forecasts to serve all mariners who use the waters for livelihood or recreation.

The National Weather Service office in Chicago is responsible for the Lake Michigan forecast and the Nearshore Marine forecast for the Illinois and Indiana shores. We also issue warnings for short-term events like thunderstorms.

GREAT LAKES MARINE PORTAL
Click on the image to get to the website

Click to see the latest Special Marine Warning or Marine Weather Statement !

Open Lakes Forecasts:

Nearshore Marine Forecast:
Click here to get the Nearshore forecast for the Illinois and Indiana Waters of Lake Michigan

click on Map to get forecast for all of Great Lakes

Observations:

Southern Lake Michigan Observations provided by GLERL
Harrison-Dever Crib in Chicago, IL
Wilmette Buoy

Southern Lake Michigan Water Temperatures
(Note: On Fridays this link may give Lake Michigan water levels. Lake level and temperature data are both sent out under OMRCHI.)

Buoy Observations:
Great Lakes Buoy Observations

Western Great Lakes
Eastern Great Lakes
Dial-A-Buoy

These links will take you to the National Data Buoy Center. https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov

Items of Interest:

Rip Current Safety information from NOAA
Rip Currents on Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan Beach Forecast for Illinois and Indiana beaches
Great Lakes Surface temperatures / Ice Analysis from GLERL
Water Levels for the Lakes
Voluntary Ship Observing Program
Ice Forecasts from the National Ice Center
MODIS Satellite Imagery from SSEC (great for viewing ice coverage)
Mariners Weather Log Magazine
Marine Product Dissemination Information
For marine forecasts for other areas of the country.
Advancements in Marine Forecasting since the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Presented by the NWS office in Marquette, MI

Marine Educational Links:

Safe Boating Weather Tips