Southern Lake Michigan · Geneva Lake (Lake Geneva, WI)

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 Geneva Lake (Lake Geneva, WI).

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

Boating conditions summary

Good

Good — No elevated wind, wave, or advisory factors from available data.

No elevated wind, wave, or advisory factors from available data

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

6:31:26 AM

Sunset

7:06:58 PM

Current conditions

Observed near Geneva Lake (Lake Geneva, WI) for recreational boaters. On-water conditions can differ from land station readings — always cross-check the nearshore marine forecast before you leave the harbor.

Burlington Municipal Airport (KBUU) · Observed 9/14/2026, 12:15:00 AM

Air temp

47°F

Feels like

47°F

Conditions

Clear

Wind

0 mph

Wind direction

Gusts

Not currently available from source

Humidity

95%

Visibility

10 mi

Lake conditions · Geneva Lake (Lake Geneva, WI)

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

Not currently available from source

Buoy

Not currently available from source

No NOAA buoy reports for Geneva Lake (Lake Geneva, WI). NOAA buoy 45174 is a Chicago nearshore Lake Michigan reference and does not describe conditions on this inland lake.

Active NOAA/NWS alerts

No active alerts for Geneva Lake (Lake Geneva, WI) right now.

Next 24 hours

NWS hourly grid forecast for Geneva Lake (Lake Geneva, WI). Watch wind shifts and thunderstorm chances before afternoon lake trips.

12 AM

50°

Clear

Wind 0 mph · 0%

1 AM

49°

Clear

Wind 0 mph · 0%

2 AM

48°

Clear

Wind 0 mph · 0%

3 AM

47°

Clear

Wind 0 mph · 0%

4 AM

46°

Clear

Wind 0 mph · 0%

5 AM

44°

Mostly Clear

Wind 0 mph · 0%

6 AM

43°

Sunny

Wind 0 mph · 0%

7 AM

44°

Sunny

Wind 0 mph · 0%

8 AM

49°

Sunny

Wind 0 mph · 0%

9 AM

56°

Sunny

Wind 0 mph · 0%

10 AM

63°

Sunny

Wind 5 mph · 0%

11 AM

67°

Mostly Sunny

Wind 5 mph · 0%

12 PM

69°

Mostly Sunny

Wind 5 mph · 0%

1 PM

70°

Partly Sunny

Wind 5 mph · 1%

2 PM

71°

Partly Sunny

Wind 10 mph · 2%

3 PM

72°

Partly Sunny

Wind 10 mph · 3%

4 PM

72°

Mostly Cloudy

Wind 15 mph · 4%

5 PM

71°

Mostly Cloudy

Wind 15 mph · 4%

6 PM

70°

Mostly Cloudy

Wind 15 mph · 5%

7 PM

68°

Mostly Cloudy

Wind 15 mph · 5%

8 PM

66°

Mostly Cloudy

Wind 15 mph · 5%

9 PM

65°

Mostly Cloudy

Wind 15 mph · 6%

10 PM

65°

Mostly Cloudy

Wind 15 mph · 6%

11 PM

65°

Mostly Cloudy

Wind 15 mph · 13%

7-day outlook

Overnight

43°F

Clear

Clear, with a low around 43. Wind around 0 mph.

Wind 0 mph · Precip 0%

Monday

72°F

Mostly Sunny

Mostly sunny, with a high near 72. Southeast wind 0 to 15 mph.

Wind SE 0 to 15 mph · Precip 4%

Monday Night

63°F

Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

A slight chance of rain showers between midnight and 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1am and 3am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wind S 15 mph · Precip 73%

Tuesday

76°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Showers and thunderstorms likely before 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 76. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wind SW 5 to 15 mph · Precip 73%

Tuesday Night

56°F

Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers

A chance of rain showers after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wind NW 0 to 5 mph · Precip 27%

Wednesday

69°F

Rain Showers Likely

Rain showers likely before 4pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 69. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Wind NE 5 mph · Precip 65%

Wednesday Night

62°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. East wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Wind E 0 to 5 mph · Precip 80%

Thursday

75°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

Showers and thunderstorms before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Wind NE 5 mph · Precip 80%

Thursday Night

59°F

Chance Rain Showers

A chance of rain showers after 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wind NE 0 to 5 mph · Precip 29%

Friday

73°F

Chance Rain Showers

A chance of rain showers before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wind E 0 to 5 mph · Precip 42%

Friday Night

59°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Wind SE 5 mph · Precip 50%

Saturday

76°F

Rain Showers Likely

Rain showers likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Wind SW 5 to 10 mph · Precip 57%

Saturday Night

57°F

Rain Showers Likely

Rain showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Wind NW 5 to 10 mph · Precip 57%

Sunday

71°F

Chance Rain Showers

A chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 71. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wind NE 5 to 10 mph · Precip 32%

Book an experience

Conditions look favorable for many recreational boaters — always verify official NOAA/NWS marine forecasts and use your own judgment. Here are popular Chicago water experiences you can book online.

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Ratings and review counts from GetYourGuide (or Viator where noted). Not BoatingChicago reviews.

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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

Good

Good — No elevated wind, wave, or advisory factors from available data.

No elevated wind, wave, or advisory factors from available data

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

Night fireworks and special-event weekends fill harbors early — plan fuel, dockage, and a sober captain before you go.

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