Lake Michigan water temperature

Lake Michigan, Waukegan Buoy, IL · Lake

The current water temperature at Lake Michigan is 15.5 °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.

15.5 °C

Measured: August 31, 2026 · continuously updated

💧 Water 15.5° · ☀️ Air 27.3° · high today 30.0°

Temperature trend of recent weeks

Lake Michigan — Photo: DOLL2011.ZION · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Water quality

Official EPA rating: good

Measurement series & statistics

This measurement series includes 1399 data points since July 3, 2026.

Lowest recorded value: 14.1 °C on July 21, 2026 · highest value: 25.6 °C on July 15, 2026.

Nearby waters

Lake Michigan, Winthrop Harbor Buoy, IL · 13.8 km away8.7 °C Lake Michigan, Winthrop Harbor · 14.0 km away22.4 °C Lake Michigan, Wilmette · 29.0 km away22.7 °C Lake Michigan, Wilmette Buoy, IL · 31.6 km away22.8 °C Fox River near Mchenry, Illinois · 36.6 km away24.7 °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 15.5 °C. See live swimming conditions, weather and quality in the BrrChecker app.

How warm is the water at Lake Michigan?
Currently 15.5 °C (updated continuously).

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

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