North Avenue Beach Water Temperature
Lake Michigan surface temperature at North Avenue Beach, Illinois · times in CDT
Updated 6:03 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Aug 28 | 81° / 63° | 6 | 1% |
| Sat, Aug 29 | 86° / 61° | 6 | 7% |
| Sun, Aug 30 | 88° / 71° | 6 | 8% |
| Mon, Aug 31 | 93° / 73° | 6 | 12% |
| Tue, Sep 1 | 93° / 79° | 5 | 14% |
| Wed, Sep 2 | 93° / 75° | 6 | 18% |
| Thu, Sep 3 | 81° / 73° | 6 | 16% |
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 74°F, the water at North Avenue Beach is comfortable. 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 right on the August average of 74°F for this 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.
Frequently asked questions
How warm is the water at North Avenue Beach right now?
The Lake Michigan surface temperature is about 74°F, from NOAA’s daily satellite analysis. That is right on the August average of 74°F for this beach.
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.