Southern Lake Michigan · Michigan City Harbor

Chicago Boating Weather & Lake Michigan Conditions

Official NOAA/NWS forecasts and alerts for recreational boaters — plus a plain-language conditions summary. Always verify marine products before you cast off. Currently showing the nearest official forecast for Michigan City Harbor.

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Forecasts come from the nearest National Weather Service grid and station for each area.

Boating conditions summary

Caution

Caution — Wave height about 3.9 ft.

Wave height about 3.9 ft

Boating conditions can change quickly. This rating is informational only and is not a substitute for official NOAA/NWS marine forecasts, local regulations, or the judgment of a qualified captain.

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Use these resources alongside the official forecast above. They are planning links — not recommendations based on today's rating.

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Sunrise

6:17:35 AM

Sunset

7:14:12 PM

Current conditions

Observed near Michigan City Harbor for recreational boaters. On-water conditions can differ from land station readings — always cross-check the nearshore marine forecast before you leave the harbor.

Michigan City Municipal Airport (KMGC) · Observed 9/5/2026, 11:15:00 PM

Air temp

70°F

Feels like

70°F

Conditions

Mostly Cloudy

Wind

0 mph

Wind direction

Gusts

Not currently available from source

Humidity

88%

Visibility

10 mi

Lake conditions · Michigan City Harbor

Wave and water readings come from NOAA buoy data when the station reports them. Missing values mean the buoy did not report that field — we never invent lake numbers.

Water temperature

Not currently available from source

Wave height

~3.9 ft

Buoy

45174

NOAA buoy 45174 sits off Chicago — treat these readings as a southern Lake Michigan reference, not a local Michigan City Harbor observation.

Active NOAA/NWS alerts

No active alerts for Michigan City Harbor right now.

Next 24 hours

NWS hourly grid forecast for Michigan City Harbor. Watch wind shifts and thunderstorm chances before afternoon lake trips.

11 PM

70°

Partly Cloudy

Wind 10 mph · 0%

12 AM

69°

Partly Cloudy

Wind 10 mph · 0%

1 AM

69°

Mostly Clear

Wind 10 mph · 0%

2 AM

67°

Mostly Clear

Wind 10 mph · 0%

3 AM

66°

Mostly Clear

Wind 10 mph · 0%

4 AM

65°

Mostly Clear

Wind 5 mph · 0%

5 AM

65°

Sunny

Wind 5 mph · 0%

6 AM

65°

Sunny

Wind 10 mph · 0%

7 AM

65°

Sunny

Wind 10 mph · 0%

8 AM

66°

Sunny

Wind 10 mph · 0%

9 AM

68°

Sunny

Wind 10 mph · 0%

10 AM

70°

Sunny

Wind 10 mph · 0%

11 AM

72°

Sunny

Wind 10 mph · 0%

12 PM

74°

Sunny

Wind 10 mph · 0%

1 PM

75°

Sunny

Wind 10 mph · 0%

2 PM

75°

Sunny

Wind 10 mph · 0%

3 PM

75°

Sunny

Wind 10 mph · 0%

4 PM

75°

Sunny

Wind 10 mph · 0%

5 PM

74°

Partly Cloudy

Wind 10 mph · 0%

6 PM

74°

Partly Cloudy

Wind 10 mph · 0%

7 PM

72°

Mostly Clear

Wind 10 mph · 0%

8 PM

71°

Mostly Clear

Wind 10 mph · 0%

9 PM

69°

Partly Cloudy

Wind 5 mph · 0%

10 PM

68°

Partly Cloudy

Wind 5 mph · 0%

7-day outlook

Overnight

63°F

Mostly Clear

Mostly clear, with a low around 63. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wind E 5 to 10 mph · Precip 0%

Sunday

76°F

Sunny

Sunny, with a high near 76. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wind NE 5 to 10 mph · Precip 0%

Sunday Night

61°F

Partly Cloudy

Partly cloudy, with a low around 61. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wind E 5 to 10 mph · Precip 0%

Labor Day

79°F

Sunny

Sunny, with a high near 79. East wind around 5 mph.

Wind E 5 mph · Precip 0%

Monday Night

62°F

Partly Cloudy

Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wind SE 5 to 10 mph · Precip 0%

Tuesday

86°F

Mostly Sunny

Mostly sunny, with a high near 86.

Wind S 5 to 10 mph · Precip 0%

Tuesday Night

73°F

Partly Cloudy

Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.

Wind S 5 to 15 mph · Precip 5%

Wednesday

88°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8am and 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wind SW 10 to 15 mph · Precip 23%

Wednesday Night

68°F

Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers

A slight chance of rain showers after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wind W 10 mph · Precip 15%

Thursday

76°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

A slight chance of rain showers before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wind NW 5 to 10 mph · Precip 15%

Thursday Night

62°F

Partly Cloudy

Partly cloudy, with a low around 62.

Wind N 5 mph · Precip 5%

Friday

78°F

Sunny

Sunny, with a high near 78.

Wind W 5 mph · Precip 5%

Friday Night

63°F

Partly Cloudy

Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.

Wind S 5 mph · Precip 13%

Saturday

82°F

Mostly Sunny

Mostly sunny, with a high near 82.

Wind S 5 to 10 mph · Precip 14%

What wind means for recreational boating

Downtown air temperature is not the same as Lake Michigan. Wind over open water builds chop faster than the same breeze feels on land, and thunderstorms can arrive with little room to run for a harbor.

As a conservative rule of thumb for small recreational boats: winds climbing through the teens often mean a tougher ride; mid-20s and higher — especially with gusts or a small craft advisory — are a strong reason to stay docked unless you and your vessel are truly prepared.

This site's Good / Caution / Poor summary is informational only. Official NOAA/NWS marine forecasts and a qualified captain's judgment always come first.

Chicago Boating Brief

A quick read of conditions, official alerts, and recent source-cited updates for Lake Michigan boaters.

Boating conditions summary

Caution

Caution — Wave height about 3.9 ft.

Wave height about 3.9 ft

Boating conditions can change quickly. This rating is informational only and is not a substitute for official NOAA/NWS marine forecasts, local regulations, or the judgment of a qualified captain.

Official alert spotlight

No active alerts in configured nearshore zones right now.

Seasonal tip

Afternoon lake breezes can differ sharply from Loop conditions. Check the nearshore marine forecast before you leave the harbor.

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