Lake Area Beaches: swim risk and surf forecast

IllinoisNear North Chicago, Lake CountyNWS zone ILZ006NWS Chicago, IL

Swim risk today: Moderate. Life-threatening conditions for swimmers are possible. Swim near a lifeguard, and follow the beach patrol and its flags.

Surf 2 to 4 feet, water 61. Buoy 45186, 3.7 mi out, measured 63 °F water and 2.3 ft waves. Sunset 6:45 PM.

Swim risk: ModerateToday
Surf: 2 to 4 feetForecast
Water: 61Forecast
Sunset: 6:45 PMCDT

Rip current risk on the map

Today’s rip current risk in every surf zone the National Weather Service forecasts for over Lake Area Beaches. Open it for the live map, where it pans and zooms.

Open the live map with rip current risk

Map layer from NOAA National Weather Service surf zone forecasts. Boundaries from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet.

Alerts in force

No beach hazards statement, high surf advisory or other warning is in force for Lake Area Beaches. Those are the products a coastal office issues when the water turns dangerous. When one is issued it appears here and on the alerts page for this area.

Today and tomorrow

From the National Weather Service beach forecast, issued 1133 AM CDT, 9/24/2026.

Today Rest of today

Moderate swim risk

Swim risk: Moderate
Surf: 2 to 4 feet
Water temperature: 61
High temperature: In the mid 60s
Weather: Partly cloudy
Wind: East winds around 10 mph

Tomorrow Friday

Low swim risk

Swim risk: Low
Surf: 1 to 3 feet
High temperature: In the mid 60s
Weather: Mostly cloudy
Wind: East winds 5 to 10 mph

The surf zone forecast, period by period

Lake. Issued 11:33 AM CDT on Thu, Sep 24 by the National Weather Service in Chicago, IL.

Rest of today

Swim Risk: Moderate
Wave Height: 2 to 4 feet
Water Temperature: 61-65
Weather: Partly cloudy
High Temperature: In the mid 60s
Winds: East winds around 10 mph

Tonight

Swim Risk: Low
Wave Height: 1 to 3 feet
Weather: Mostly cloudy
Low Temperature: In the lower 60s
Winds: East winds 5 to 10 mph, becoming southeast after midnight

Friday

Swim Risk: Low
Wave Height: 1 to 3 feet
Weather: Mostly cloudy
High Temperature: In the mid 60s
Winds: East winds 5 to 10 mph

Swim risk outlook

Friday night. Low swim risk*.

Saturday. Low swim risk*.

Saturday night. Low swim risk*.

Sunday. Low swim risk*.

Sunday night. Low swim risk*.

Monday. Low swim risk*.

The office's notes on this forecast

Swim Risk Category * Low Risk - Large waves and dangerous currents are not expected, however dangerous currents may exist at any time near piers, breakwalls, and river outlets. * Moderate Risk - Breaking waves and currents are expected. Stay away from dangerous areas like piers, breakwalls, and river outlets. Always have a flotation device with you in the water. * High Risk - Life-threatening waves and currents are expected. Stay out of the water and stay away from dangerous areas like piers and breakwalls.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see: https://www.weather.gov/beach/lot

The product as issued

FZUS53 KLOT 241633
SRFLOT

Surf Zone Forecast for Lake Michigan Beaches
National Weather Service Chicago IL
1133 AM CDT Thu Sep 24 2026

ILZ006-251645-
Lake-
Including the beaches of Illinois Beach State Park
1133 AM CDT Thu Sep 24 2026

.REST OF TODAY...
Swim Risk*..................Moderate. 
Wave Height.................2 to 4 feet. 
Water Temperature...........61-65. 
Weather.....................Partly cloudy. 
High Temperature............In the mid 60s. 
Winds.......................East winds around 10 mph.

.TONIGHT...
Swim Risk*..................Low. 
Wave Height.................1 to 3 feet. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. 
Low Temperature.............In the lower 60s. 
Winds.......................East winds 5 to 10 mph, becoming 
                            southeast after midnight.

.FRIDAY...
Swim Risk*..................Low. 
Wave Height.................1 to 3 feet. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. 
High Temperature............In the mid 60s. 
Winds.......................East winds 5 to 10 mph.

.SWIM RISK OUTLOOK...
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Low swim risk*. 
.SATURDAY...Low swim risk*. 
.SATURDAY NIGHT...Low swim risk*. 
.SUNDAY...Low swim risk*. 
.SUNDAY NIGHT...Low swim risk*. 
.MONDAY...Low swim risk*.

&&

Swim Risk Category
* Low Risk - Large waves and dangerous currents are not expected,
however dangerous currents may exist at any time near piers,
breakwalls, and river outlets.
* Moderate Risk - Breaking waves and currents are expected. Stay away
from dangerous areas like piers, breakwalls, and river outlets.
Always have a flotation device with you in the water.
* High Risk - Life-threatening waves and currents are expected. Stay
out of the water and stay away from dangerous areas like piers and
breakwalls.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/lot

$$

ILZ103-104-251645-
Northern Cook-Central Cook-
Including the beaches of Chicago Park District
1133 AM CDT Thu Sep 24 2026

.REST OF TODAY...
Swim Risk*..................Moderate. 
Wave Height.................2 to 4 feet. 
Water Temperature...........61-65. 
Weather.....................Partly cloudy. 
High Temperature............In the mid 60s. 
Winds.......................East winds around 10 mph.

.TONIGHT...
Swim Risk*..................Low. 
Wave Height.................1 to 3 feet. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. 
Low Temperature.............Around 60. 
Winds.......................East winds 5 to 10 mph, becoming 
                            southeast after midnight.

.FRIDAY...
Swim Risk*..................Low. 
Wave Height.................1 to 3 feet. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. 
High Temperature............In the mid 60s. 
Winds.......................East winds 5 to 10 mph, becoming around 
                            5 mph late.

.SWIM RISK OUTLOOK...
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Low swim risk*. 
.SATURDAY...Low swim risk*. 
.SATURDAY NIGHT...Low swim risk*. 
.SUNDAY...Low swim risk*. 
.SUNDAY NIGHT...Low swim risk*. 
.MONDAY...Low swim risk*.

&&

Swim Risk Category
* Low Risk - Large waves and dangerous currents are not expected,
however dangerous currents may exist at any time near piers,
breakwalls, and river outlets.
* Moderate Risk - Breaking waves and currents are expected. Stay away
from dangerous areas like piers, breakwalls, and river outlets.
Always have a flotation device with you in the water.
* High Risk - Life-threatening waves and currents are expected. Stay
out of the water and stay away from dangerous areas like piers and
breakwalls.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/lot

$$

INZ001-251645-
Lake-
Including the beaches of Indiana Dunes National Park
1133 AM CDT Thu Sep 24 2026

.REST OF TODAY...
Swim Risk*..................Low. 
Wave Height.................1 to 3 feet. 
Water Temperature...........52-56. 
Weather.....................Partly cloudy.
High Temperature............In the upper 60s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

.TONIGHT...
Swim Risk*..................Low. 
Wave Height.................1 to 2 feet. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. 
Low Temperature.............In the upper 50s. 
Winds.......................East winds 5 to 10 mph, becoming 
                            southeast late.

.FRIDAY...
Swim Risk*..................Low. 
Wave Height.................Around 1 foot. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. 
High Temperature............In the mid 60s. 
Winds.......................East winds around 5 mph, becoming 
                            northeast late.

.SWIM RISK OUTLOOK...
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Low swim risk*. 
.SATURDAY...Low swim risk*. 
.SATURDAY NIGHT...Low swim risk*. 
.SUNDAY...Low swim risk*. 
.SUNDAY NIGHT...Low swim risk*. 
.MONDAY...Low swim risk*.

&&

Swim Risk Category
* Low Risk - Large waves and dangerous currents are not expected,
however dangerous currents may exist at any time near piers,
breakwalls, and river outlets.
* Moderate Risk - Breaking waves and currents are expected. Stay away
from dangerous areas like piers, breakwalls, and river outlets.
Always have a flotation device with you in the water.
* High Risk - Life-threatening waves and currents are expected. Stay
out of the water and stay away from dangerous areas like piers and
breakwalls.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/lot

$$

INZ002-251645-
Porter-
Including the beaches of Indiana Dunes National Park
1133 AM CDT Thu Sep 24 2026

.REST OF TODAY...
Swim Risk*..................Low. 
Wave Height.................1 to 2 feet. 
Water Temperature...........52-56. 
Weather.....................Partly cloudy.
High Temperature............In the mid 60s. 
Winds.......................East winds 5 to 10 mph.

.TONIGHT...
Swim Risk*..................Low. 
Wave Height.................Around 1 foot. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. 
Low Temperature.............In the mid 50s. 
Winds.......................East winds 5 to 10 mph.

.FRIDAY...
Swim Risk*..................Low. 
Wave Height.................1 foot or less. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. 
High Temperature............In the mid 60s. 
Winds.......................East winds around 5 mph, becoming 
                            northeast late.

.SWIM RISK OUTLOOK...
.FRIDAY NIGHT...Low swim risk*. 
.SATURDAY...Low swim risk*. 
.SATURDAY NIGHT...Low swim risk*. 
.SUNDAY...Low swim risk*. 
.SUNDAY NIGHT...Low swim risk*. 
.MONDAY...Low swim risk*.

&&

Swim Risk Category
* Low Risk - Large waves and dangerous currents are not expected,
however dangerous currents may exist at any time near piers,
breakwalls, and river outlets.
* Moderate Risk - Breaking waves and currents are expected. Stay away
from dangerous areas like piers, breakwalls, and river outlets.
Always have a flotation device with you in the water.
* High Risk - Life-threatening waves and currents are expected. Stay
out of the water and stay away from dangerous areas like piers and
breakwalls.

** For thunderstorm, waterspout, and UV definitions see:
https://www.weather.gov/beach/lot


$$

The water now, measured

Buoy 45186, Waukegan Buoy, IL, 3.7 mi away, reported 12:20 PM.

Waves: 2.3 ft at 4 seconds from the NE
Water temperature: 63 °F
Air temperature: 63 °F
Wind: 6 kt from the NNE

From NOAA's National Data Buoy Center. Wave height is the significant height, the average of the highest third; the largest waves run half again as high. Offshore buoys read bigger than the surf at the beach.

Sun and daylight

Sunrise today: 6:41 AM
Sunset today: 6:45 PM
Sunrise tomorrow: 6:42 AM
Sunset tomorrow: 6:43 PM

Times are Central Daylight Time. Lifeguards are off duty outside posted hours, and the swim risk does not fall with the light.

Beaches in this forecast

Illinois Beach State Park

As the National Weather Service lists them in its surf zone forecast.

What this means

The three levels the National Weather Service issues, and what to do at each.

High	Life-threatening conditions are likely, and dangerous for swimmers of every level. Stay out of the water.
Moderate	Life-threatening conditions for swimmers are possible. Swim near a lifeguard, and follow the beach patrol and its flags.
Low	The risk to swimmers is low, but life-threatening conditions can still occur near piers, groins and river mouths. Swim near a lifeguard.

If a rip current carries you out

Do not fight the current. It pulls you away from the beach, not under the water.
Stay calm and keep your head above water. Float or tread water until the pull eases.
Swim parallel to the beach, along the shore, until you are out of the current, then angle in toward the beach.
If you cannot escape, face the shore, wave your arms and call for help.
If someone else is caught, do not go in after them. Get a lifeguard, call 911, and throw them something that floats.

Thunderstorms and lightning

Thunderstorms build fast over water on a summer afternoon. Water and open sand leave you the tallest thing around. When thunder roars, go indoors: leave the water and the beach for a building or a hard-topped vehicle, and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before going back.

A rip current is a narrow stream of water flowing away from the beach, through the surf and past the breakers. It pulls swimmers out, not under. Rip current and lightning safety guidance from the National Weather Service.

Nearby

The stretches of shore the National Weather Service forecasts on either side of this one.

More for this place

Sources

Rip current risk, surf, water temperature and UV from the National Weather Service surf zone forecast and beach forecast, office LOT, issued 1133 AM CDT, 9/24/2026. Original at NWS. Waves and water temperature measured by NOAA's National Data Buoy Center. Tides from NOAA CO-OPS. Alerts from the National Weather Service for zone ILZ006.