Severe Thunderstorms and Heavy Rainfall in the Central and Southern Plains

Severe thunderstorms capable of very large hail, damaging wind gusts, and a few tornadoes are possible today across parts of the central and southern Plains. Heavy rain will pose a threat for flash flooding across portions of central and coastal Texas. Thunderstorms may also cause isolated wind damage across the Southeast. Read More >

Few people are affected more by weather than the mariner. An unexpected change in winds, seas, or visibility can reduce the efficiency of marine operations and threaten the safety of a vessel and its crew. The National Weather Service (NWS), a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), provides marine warnings and forecasts to serve all mariners who use the waters for livelihood or recreation.

The National Weather Service office in Chicago is responsible for the Lake Michigan forecast and the Nearshore Marine forecast for the Illinois and Indiana shores. We also issue warnings for short-term events like thunderstorms.

GREAT LAKES MARINE PORTAL
Click on the image to get to the website

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Open Lakes Forecasts:

Nearshore Marine Forecast:
Click here to get the Nearshore forecast for the Illinois and Indiana Waters of Lake Michigan

click on Map to get forecast for all of Great Lakes

Lake Michigan Data:

Observations and forecasts at Lake Michigan buoy locations
Shoreline observations around the north half of Lake Michigan (NDBC)
Shoreline observations around the south half of Lake Michigan (NDBC)
Southern Lake Michigan Observations provided by GLERL
Harrison-Dever Crib in Chicago, IL
Wilmette Buoy

Other Marine Products
(Note: On Fridays this link may give Lake Michigan water levels. Lake level and temperature data are both sent out under OMRCHI.)

Other Buoy Observations:
Great Lakes Buoy Observations

Items of Interest:

Rip Current Safety information from NOAA
Lake Michigan Beach Forecast for Illinois and Indiana beaches
Great Lakes Surface temperatures / Ice Analysis from GLERL
Water Levels for the Lakes
Voluntary Ship Observing Program
Ice Forecasts from the National Ice Center
MODIS Satellite Imagery from SSEC (great for viewing ice coverage)
Mariners Weather Log Magazine
Marine Product Dissemination Information
For marine forecasts for other areas of the country.
Advancements in Marine Forecasting since the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Presented by the NWS office in Marquette, MI

Marine Educational Links:

Safe Boating

LOT RSS Feed

Severe Thunderstorms and Heavy Rainfall in the Central and Southern Plains

WFO Chicago Marine Weather Page