Lake Michigan Wind & Boating Forecast
Coordinates: 43.0030°N, -87.8880°W • Source: National Weather Service API
Can I Launch Today? Boat Type Safety Overview
Kayak & SUP
CautionCheck wind before launching.
Bass Boats & Skiffs
GoCheck wind before launching.
Pontoons & Bowriders
GoCheck wind before launching.
Personal Watercraft
CautionCheck wind before launching.
Daysailers & Dinghies
GoCheck wind before launching.
Hourly Boating Conditions & Wind Speed
Next 24 hours at Lake Michigan • Updated 5:22 PM UTC
| Time | Weather | Temp | Wind Speed | Gusts | Direction | Boating Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5:00 PM Sun, Oct 11
|
Sunny | 70°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | S | Favorable |
|
6:00 PM Sun, Oct 11
|
Sunny | 71°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | S | Favorable |
|
7:00 PM Sun, Oct 11
|
Sunny | 73°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | S | Favorable |
|
8:00 PM Sun, Oct 11
|
Sunny | 74°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | S | Favorable |
|
9:00 PM Sun, Oct 11
|
Sunny | 74°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | S | Favorable |
|
10:00 PM Sun, Oct 11
|
Sunny | 72°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | S | Favorable |
|
11:00 PM Sun, Oct 11
|
Mostly Clear | 69°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | S | Favorable |
|
12:00 AM Mon, Oct 12
|
Mostly Clear | 66°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | S | Favorable |
|
1:00 AM Mon, Oct 12
|
Mostly Clear | 64°F | 5 mph | 5 mph | S | Favorable |
|
2:00 AM Mon, Oct 12
|
Mostly Clear | 63°F | 5 mph | 5 mph | S | Favorable |
|
3:00 AM Mon, Oct 12
|
Mostly Clear | 63°F | 5 mph | 5 mph | S | Favorable |
|
4:00 AM Mon, Oct 12
|
Mostly Clear | 63°F | 5 mph | 5 mph | SW | Favorable |
|
5:00 AM Mon, Oct 12
|
Mostly Clear | 62°F | 5 mph | 5 mph | SW | Favorable |
|
6:00 AM Mon, Oct 12
|
Partly Cloudy | 62°F | 5 mph | 5 mph | SW | Favorable |
|
7:00 AM Mon, Oct 12
|
Partly Cloudy | 62°F | 5 mph | 5 mph | SW | Favorable |
|
8:00 AM Mon, Oct 12
|
Partly Cloudy | 62°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | SW | Favorable |
|
9:00 AM Mon, Oct 12
|
Mostly Cloudy | 62°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | SW | Favorable |
|
10:00 AM Mon, Oct 12
|
Mostly Cloudy | 62°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | SW | Favorable |
|
11:00 AM Mon, Oct 12
|
Partly Sunny | 62°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | SW | Favorable |
|
12:00 PM Mon, Oct 12
|
Partly Sunny | 62°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | SW | Favorable |
|
1:00 PM Mon, Oct 12
|
Mostly Sunny | 63°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | SW | Favorable |
|
2:00 PM Mon, Oct 12
|
Mostly Sunny | 67°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | SW | Favorable |
|
3:00 PM Mon, Oct 12
|
Mostly Sunny | 70°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | SW | Favorable |
|
4:00 PM Mon, Oct 12
|
Mostly Sunny | 73°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | SW | Favorable |
|
5:00 PM Mon, Oct 12
|
Mostly Sunny | 75°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | SW | Favorable |
|
6:00 PM Mon, Oct 12
|
Mostly Sunny | 77°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | SW | Favorable |
|
7:00 PM Mon, Oct 12
|
Mostly Sunny | 78°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | SW | Favorable |
|
8:00 PM Mon, Oct 12
|
Sunny | 79°F | 15 mph | 15 mph | SW | Caution (Chop) |
|
9:00 PM Mon, Oct 12
|
Sunny | 79°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | SW | Favorable |
|
10:00 PM Mon, Oct 12
|
Mostly Sunny | 78°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | SW | Favorable |
|
11:00 PM Mon, Oct 12
|
Partly Cloudy | 77°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | SW | Favorable |
|
12:00 AM Tue, Oct 13
|
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms ⚡ | 74°F | 5 mph | 5 mph | SW | Thunderstorms |
|
1:00 AM Tue, Oct 13
|
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms ⚡ | 73°F | 5 mph | 5 mph | SW | Thunderstorms |
|
2:00 AM Tue, Oct 13
|
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms ⚡ | 71°F | 5 mph | 5 mph | SW | Thunderstorms |
|
3:00 AM Tue, Oct 13
|
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms ⚡ | 70°F | 5 mph | 5 mph | SW | Thunderstorms |
|
4:00 AM Tue, Oct 13
|
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms ⚡ | 71°F | 5 mph | 5 mph | SW | Thunderstorms |
|
5:00 AM Tue, Oct 13
|
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms ⚡ | 69°F | 5 mph | 5 mph | SW | Thunderstorms |
|
6:00 AM Tue, Oct 13
|
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms ⚡ | 69°F | 5 mph | 5 mph | SW | Thunderstorms |
|
7:00 AM Tue, Oct 13
|
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms ⚡ | 68°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | SW | Thunderstorms |
|
8:00 AM Tue, Oct 13
|
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms ⚡ | 67°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | SW | Thunderstorms |
|
9:00 AM Tue, Oct 13
|
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms ⚡ | 67°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | SW | Thunderstorms |
|
10:00 AM Tue, Oct 13
|
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms ⚡ | 66°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | SW | Thunderstorms |
|
11:00 AM Tue, Oct 13
|
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms ⚡ | 65°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | SW | Thunderstorms |
|
12:00 PM Tue, Oct 13
|
Sunny | 65°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | SW | Favorable |
|
1:00 PM Tue, Oct 13
|
Sunny | 66°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | W | Favorable |
|
2:00 PM Tue, Oct 13
|
Mostly Sunny | 68°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | W | Favorable |
|
3:00 PM Tue, Oct 13
|
Mostly Sunny | 69°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | W | Favorable |
|
4:00 PM Tue, Oct 13
|
Mostly Sunny | 70°F | 10 mph | 10 mph | NW | Favorable |
Lake Weather & Wave Safety Rules
Understanding Reservoir Fetch
A 15 mph wind blowing across a sheltered 200-yard cove is calm, but the same 15 mph wind blowing over a 5-mile open stretch ("fetch") creates steep, short-period waves that easily swamp small vessels or capsize canoes. Always plan your return route along the upwind shore.
The 30/30 Lightning Rule
Water conducts electricity. If the time between seeing lightning and hearing thunder is less than 30 seconds, the storm is within 6 miles. Get off the open water immediately and seek shelter in a substantial building or hard-topped vehicle. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunderclap before launching again.
Pontoon Windage & Docking
Pontoon boats have tall, flat aluminum fencing and large Bimini tops that act as sails. In crosswinds over 15 mph, docking requires a slow approach against the wind and plenty of fenders to protect neighboring hulls from getting pinned.