Southern Lake Michigan · Michigan City Harbor
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.
Forecasts come from the nearest National Weather Service grid and station for each area.
Boating conditions summary
Caution
Caution — Wave height about 2 ft; Active small craft advisory (Small Craft Advisory).
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.
Use these resources alongside the official forecast above. They are planning links — not recommendations based on today's rating.
Sunrise
6:25:45 AM
Sunset
7:00:26 PM
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 9/13/2026, 11:35:00 PM
Air temp
52°F
Feels like
52°F
Conditions
Clear
Wind
Not currently available from source
Wind direction
Not currently available from source
Gusts
Not currently available from source
Humidity
100%
Visibility
10 mi
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
~2 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.
Official National Weather Service products. These are not BoatingChicago opinions.
Official NOAA/NWS · Marine-related
Small Craft Advisory issued September 13 at 9:30PM CDT until September 14 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
* WHAT...North winds to 20 kt and significant waves to 6 ft occasionally to 8 ft. * WHERE...Gary to Michigan City IN. * WHEN...Until 3 AM CDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be hazardous to small craft.
View official alert →NWS hourly grid forecast for Michigan City Harbor. Watch wind shifts and thunderstorm chances before afternoon lake trips.
12 AM
61°
Partly Cloudy
Wind 10 mph · 0%
1 AM
61°
Mostly Cloudy
Wind 10 mph · 0%
2 AM
60°
Mostly Cloudy
Wind 10 mph · 0%
3 AM
58°
Partly Cloudy
Wind 5 mph · 0%
4 AM
58°
Partly Cloudy
Wind 5 mph · 0%
5 AM
57°
Mostly Sunny
Wind 5 mph · 0%
6 AM
56°
Mostly Sunny
Wind 5 mph · 0%
7 AM
56°
Mostly Sunny
Wind 5 mph · 0%
8 AM
59°
Sunny
Wind 5 mph · 0%
9 AM
62°
Sunny
Wind 10 mph · 0%
10 AM
65°
Sunny
Wind 10 mph · 0%
11 AM
67°
Sunny
Wind 10 mph · 0%
12 PM
70°
Sunny
Wind 10 mph · 0%
1 PM
72°
Mostly Sunny
Wind 10 mph · 0%
2 PM
72°
Mostly Sunny
Wind 10 mph · 0%
3 PM
72°
Mostly Sunny
Wind 10 mph · 1%
4 PM
72°
Mostly Sunny
Wind 10 mph · 3%
5 PM
70°
Mostly Cloudy
Wind 15 mph · 5%
6 PM
70°
Mostly Cloudy
Wind 15 mph · 6%
7 PM
69°
Mostly Cloudy
Wind 15 mph · 7%
8 PM
67°
Mostly Cloudy
Wind 15 mph · 6%
9 PM
66°
Mostly Cloudy
Wind 15 mph · 6%
10 PM
65°
Partly Cloudy
Wind 15 mph · 3%
11 PM
64°
Partly Cloudy
Wind 15 mph · 1%
Overnight
56°F
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wind N 5 to 10 mph · Precip 0%
Monday
73°F
Mostly Sunny
Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wind SE 5 to 10 mph · Precip 3%
Monday Night
64°F
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Wind SE 15 to 20 mph · Precip 7%
Tuesday
85°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 7am and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Wind SW 10 to 15 mph · Precip 59%
Tuesday Night
66°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Wind N 5 to 10 mph · Precip 78%
Wednesday
74°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers and thunderstorms before 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Wind NE 5 mph · Precip 75%
Wednesday Night
69°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wind NE 5 mph · Precip 56%
Thursday
77°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Wind NE 5 mph · Precip 56%
Thursday Night
65°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
A slight chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wind NE 5 mph · Precip 21%
Friday
76°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
A slight chance of rain showers before 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wind E 5 to 10 mph · Precip 27%
Friday Night
64°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Wind E 5 to 10 mph · Precip 40%
Saturday
77°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.
Wind S 10 mph · Precip 48%
Saturday Night
62°F
Chance Rain Showers
A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.
Wind W 10 mph · Precip 48%
Sunday
73°F
Chance Rain Showers
A chance of rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 73.
Wind NE 10 mph · Precip 38%
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.
A quick read of conditions, official alerts, and recent source-cited updates for Lake Michigan boaters.
Boating conditions summary
Caution
Caution — Wave height about 2 ft; Active small craft advisory (Small Craft Advisory).
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
NOAA/NWS
Small Craft Advisory
Small Craft Advisory issued September 13 at 9:30PM CDT until September 14 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Chicago IL
Seasonal tip
Night fireworks and special-event weekends fill harbors early — plan fuel, dockage, and a sober captain before you go.
Safety
Official updateBoatingChicago Weather · 9/14/2026
Read at BoatingChicago Weather →Wisconsin
NWS Alerts (Wisconsin) · 9/13/2026
Read at NWS Alerts (Wisconsin) →Wisconsin
NWS Alerts (Wisconsin) · 9/13/2026
Read at NWS Alerts (Wisconsin) →Lake Michigan
Official updateNOAA buoy / lake observations · 9/13/2026
Read at NOAA buoy / lake observations →Safety
NWS Alerts (Indiana) · 9/13/2026
Read at NWS Alerts (Indiana) →Last fetched 9/14/2026, 12:07:54 AM (approx. 15-minute cache).