North Avenue Beach Water Temperature
Lake Michigan surface temperature at North Avenue Beach, Illinois · times in CDT
Updated 3:00 AM CDT
How it compares today
Water temperature through the year
Monthly normals computed from 2023–2025 daily GLSEA satellite surface temperature history.
Nearby water right now
7-day outlook
| Day | Air high / low | Max UV | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Oct 13 | 79° / 65° | 5 | 34% |
| Wed, Oct 14 | 64° / 58° | 3 | 47% |
| Thu, Oct 15 | 60° / 56° | 1 | 82% |
| Fri, Oct 16 | 58° / 47° | 3 | 55% |
| Sat, Oct 17 | 56° / 45° | 4 | 1% |
| Sun, Oct 18 | 62° / 48° | 4 | 1% |
| Mon, Oct 19 | 58° / 53° | 1 | 9% |
Water temperature from the NOAA GLERL Great Lakes Surface Environmental Analysis (satellite, updated daily); waves from the Open-Meteo marine model; weather from Open-Meteo.
Is North Avenue Beach warm enough to swim?
At 65°F, the water at North Avenue Beach is cool but swimmable. Most swimmers are comfortable without a wetsuit above 72°F; below 62°F, cold-water shock becomes a real risk for unprotected swimmers.
That is 3° above the October average of 62°F here.
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.
Frequently asked questions
How warm is the water at North Avenue Beach right now?
The Lake Michigan surface temperature is about 65°F, from NOAA’s daily satellite analysis. That is 3° above the October average of 62°F here.
When is the water warm enough to swim at North Avenue Beach?
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.
What is the warmest the water gets at North Avenue Beach?
Around 74°F in August, based on 2023–2025 records. The coolest month is January at roughly 36°F.