Lake Michigan water temperature

Lake Michigan, South Haven Buoy, MI · Lake

The current water temperature at Lake Michigan is 21.7 °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.

21.7 °C

Measured: August 31, 2026 · continuously updated

💧 Water 21.7° · ☀️ Air 24.1° · high today 26.6°

Temperature trend of recent weeks

Lake Michigan — Photo: Dave Parker · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Water quality

Official EPA rating: excellent

Measurement series & statistics

This measurement series includes 1409 data points since July 3, 2026.

Lowest recorded value: 11.3 °C on August 3, 2026 · highest value: 26.5 °C on July 17, 2026.

Nearby waters

Kalamazoo River at New Richmond, Michigan · 31.5 km away23.9 °C Lake Michigan, Holland · 42.0 km away22.1 °C Osborn Drain at Dewey Lake St near Glenwood, Michigan · 42.1 km away18.6 °C Dowagiac Creek at Dutch Settlement Rd near Dowagiac · 51.7 km away20.4 °C Lake Michigan, Cook Nuclear Plant Buoy, Stevensville, M · 53.9 km away22.2 °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 21.7 °C. See live swimming conditions, weather and quality in the BrrChecker app.

How warm is the water at Lake Michigan?
Currently 21.7 °C (updated continuously).

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

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