Lake Michigan water temperature

Lake Michigan, Atwater Park, WI · Lake

The current water temperature at Lake Michigan is 8.7 °C (as of August 31, 2026, source: NOAA NDBC).

Lakes stratify in summer: bathing-warm on top, markedly colder a few metres down. Measurements are taken at the surface — right where you swim.

8.7 °C

Measured: August 31, 2026 · continuously updated

💧 Water 8.7° · ☀️ Air 25.6° · high today 29.2°

Temperature trend of recent weeks

Lake Michigan — Photo: Yinan Chen · Public Domain · Wikimedia Commons

Water quality

Official EPA rating: excellent

Measurement series & statistics

This measurement series includes 620 data points since July 3, 2026.

Lowest recorded value: 8.2 °C on July 28, 2026 · highest value: 24.6 °C on July 15, 2026.

Nearby waters

Lake Michigan, Atwater 20-meter buoy (ATW20) · 2.1 km away21.0 °C Milwaukee River at Milwaukee, Wisconsin · 3.1 km away25.5 °C Wilson Park Creek at Gmia Outfall 7 at Milwaukee, Wisconsin · 15.1 km away21.6 °C Root River at 60TH St near Caledonia, Wisconsin · 27.8 km away24.6 °C Root River at W. Eight Mile Rd near Caledonia, Wisconsin · 28.7 km away24.2 °C

More measuring points: Lake Michigan

South Green Bay, WI24.0 °C Ohio Street Beach23.8 °C Michigan City23.6 °C Chicago Buoy23.0 °C Southern Lake Michigan Spotter23.0 °C Michigan City Buoy, IN22.8 °C

Frequently asked questions

Can you swim at Lake Michigan right now?
The current water temperature is 8.7 °C. See live swimming conditions, weather and quality in the BrrChecker app.

How warm is the water at Lake Michigan?
Currently 8.7 °C (updated continuously).

How is the water quality at Lake Michigan?
The official classification is: excellent.

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