North Avenue Beach surf report

Chicago, Illinois

Updated 6:03 AM CDT

41/ 100

Marginal Water temperature is 74°F — but swell period at 4s is what holds it back.

What decides a surfing score

Wave size 0.9 ft · 45% of the score 20
Swell period 4s · 30% of the score 25
Wind 4 mph · 15% of the score 100
Water temperature 74°F · 10% of the score 95

Scored on wave size, period and wind speed. We do not yet know which way each beach faces, so this does not account for offshore versus onshore wind.

Weather & UV · Open-Meteo Waves · Open-Meteo Marine Water temp · NOAA GLERL (daily) Air quality · AirNow

North Avenue Beach is also scored for

91 Families with kids surf calmness 0.9 ft 89 Swimming water temperature 74°F

About North Avenue Beach

North Avenue Beach sits on Lake Michigan, where the water runs from about 36°F in January to 74°F in August.

The water averages above 70°F in July, August and September — 3 months of the year — peaking around 74°F in August and dropping to about 36°F in January.

Today it is 74°F. That is right on the August average of 74°F for this beach.

Frequently asked questions

Is North Avenue Beach good for surfing today?

Marginal — we score it 41 out of 100 today. The limiting factor is swell period at 4s.

What makes a good surfing day?

We weight wave size (45%), swell period (30%), wind (15%) and combine them into one score. Conditions we cannot read are left out rather than guessed.

Nearby beaches

Indiana Dunes BeachPorter, Indiana Oval BeachSaugatuck, Michigan South Haven BeachSouth Haven, Michigan