Great Lakes Forecasts by Zone - Chicago, IL

Nearshore Marine Zone Forecasts by the Chicago, IL Forecast Office 

Click on the links in the table to get a forecast for each zone. Clicking on the map links to a text forecast that includes all of the zones and a synopsis

Great Lakes Marine Weather Portal - Includes point forecasts

Nearshore Marine Forecast which includes all these zones

Special Marine Warning(s) and Marine Weather Statement(s) for these zones

Marine Weather Message for these zones

Surf Zone Forecast

Open Lake Forecast for Lake Michigan      (All Zones - Includes Synopsis and MAFOR)   (individual zones) 

Experimental Modernized Open Lake Forecast for Lake Michigan

Graphical Marine Forecasts are available here. Choose the map background and forecast element and zoom in to your area of interest.

Great Lakes Water Level Data

Great Lakes nearshore forecasts are subdivided by zone, each identified by text description and a Universal Generic Code (UGC). The different colors used in the map above have no meaning and are only intended to assist in differentiating the zones.

Great Lakes nearshore marine forecasts are issued throughout the boating season, typically beginning around April 1 and ending around December 31, dependent on ice conditions on the entrances to each individual lake. During periods of climatological extremes leading to erratic ice coverage patterns (shifting of ice edge, late/early freeze, etc.), and based on customer needs, nearshore forecasts may be issued throughout the winter to support the National Weather Service mission of protecting life and property on the waters of the Great Lakes.

These forecasts are also available via e-mail

NOTICE - Check time and date of forecasts. Linked data may not represent the latest forecast.

NWS Internet is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week . Timely delivery of data and products through the Internet is not guaranteed. Official NWS dissemination systems which can provide timely delivery of data and products are listed in our DISCLAIMER. 

Visit the Chicago, IL Forecast Office which provides links to additional products as well as regionally focused information such as point-specific marine forecasts, predicted tides and buoy observations.