Northern La Porte Area Beaches: swim risk and surf forecast

IndianaNear Long Beach, LaPorte CountyNWS zone INZ103NWS Northern Indiana

Swim risk today: High. Life-threatening conditions are likely, and dangerous for swimmers of every level. Stay out of the water.

Surf 2 to 4 feet, water in the lower 60s. Buoy 45170, 3.4 mi out, measured 53 °F water and 2.6 ft waves. Sunset 7:45 PM.

Swim risk: HighToday
Surf: 2 to 4 feetForecast
Water: In the lower 60sForecast
Sunset: 7:45 PMEDT

Rip current risk on the map

Today’s rip current risk in every surf zone the National Weather Service forecasts for over Northern La Porte 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 force1

Beach hazards statements, high surf advisories, rip current statements and every other National Weather Service product in force for zone INZ103.

Beach Hazards Statementuntil Wed 5:00 AM
Beach Hazards Statement issued September 22 at 3:38AM EDT until September 23 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
* WHAT...Dangerous swimming conditions expected. Those visiting the beach should stay out of the water. *Waves of 2 to 4 feet. *Strong southward flowing longshore current expected. *Strong structural current near piers and breakwalls, especially on the north sides. *Rip currents possible within sandbars. * WHERE...Northern La Porte county. * WHEN...Through late tonight. * IMPACTS...Strong currents can pull swimmers into deeper water and high waves can sweep people off piers.
Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous swimming conditions. Do not venture out on piers.

All alerts for this area.

Today and tomorrow

From the National Weather Service beach forecast, issued 338 AM EDT, 9/22/2026.

Today Today

High swim risk

Swim risk: High
Surf: 2 to 4 feet
Water temperature: In the lower 60s
UV index: Moderate
High temperature: In the mid 60s
Weather: Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of showers
Wind: Northeast winds around 10 mph

UV index 3 to 5. Cover up and stay in the shade near midday.

Tomorrow Wednesday

Moderate swim risk

Swim risk: Moderate
Surf: 1 to 3 feet
High temperature: In the mid 60s
Weather: Mostly cloudy
Wind: Northeast winds around 10 mph

The surf zone forecast, period by period

Northern La Porte. Issued 3:38 AM EDT on Tue, Sep 22 by the National Weather Service in Northern Indiana.

Beach hazards statement in effect through late tonight

Today

Swim Risk: High
Wave Height: 2 to 4 feet
UV Index: 3 - Moderate
Water Temperature: In the lower 60s
Weather: Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of showers
High Temperature: In the mid 60s
Winds: Northeast winds around 10 mph
Sunrise: 7:34 AM
Sunset: 7:47 PM

Wednesday

Swim Risk: Moderate
Wave Height: 1 to 3 feet
Weather: Mostly cloudy
High Temperature: In the mid 60s
Winds: Northeast winds around 10 mph
Sunrise: 7:35 AM
Sunset: 7:45 PM

Thursday

Low swim risk*. Wave height around 1 foot. Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. East winds around 5 mph.

Friday

Low swim risk*. Wave height 1 foot or less. Sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. East winds around 5 mph.

Saturday

Low swim risk*. Wave height 1 foot or less. Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. Southeast winds around 5 mph.

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 additional information regarding beach safety and UV index definitions see: https://www.weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards

The product as issued

FZUS53 KIWX 220738
SRFIWX

Surf Zone Forecast for Lake Michigan Beaches
National Weather Service Northern Indiana
338 AM EDT Tue Sep 22 2026

MIZ177-277-222115-
Northern Berrien-Southern Berrien-
Including the beaches of Silver Beach, Warren Dunes, 
and New Buffalo
338 AM EDT Tue Sep 22 2026

.TODAY...
Swim Risk*..................Low. 
Wave Height.................2 to 3 feet. 
UV Index**..................3 - Moderate. 
Water Temperature...........In the lower 60s. 
Weather.....................Partly sunny. 
High Temperature............In the mid 60s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 10 mph. 
Sunrise.....................7:33 AM. 
Sunset......................7:46 PM.

.WEDNESDAY...
Swim Risk*..................Low. 
Wave Height.................1 to 2 feet. 
Weather.....................Partly sunny. 
High Temperature............In the upper 60s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 10 mph. 
Sunrise.....................7:34 AM. 
Sunset......................7:44 PM.

.THURSDAY...Low swim risk*. Wave height around 1 foot. Mostly
sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. East winds around 5 mph. 
.FRIDAY...Low swim risk*. Wave height 1 foot or less. Sunny.
Highs in the mid 60s. East winds around 5 mph. 
.SATURDAY...Low swim risk*. Wave height 1 foot or less. Mostly
sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. East winds around 5 mph.

&&

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 additional information regarding beach safety and UV index
definitions see: https://www.weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards

$$

INZ103-222115-
Northern La Porte-
Including the beaches of Mt. Baldy, Washington Park, 
and Long Beach
238 AM CDT Tue Sep 22 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...

.TODAY...
Swim Risk*..................High. 
Wave Height.................2 to 4 feet. 
UV Index**..................3 - Moderate. 
Water Temperature...........In the lower 60s. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of 
                            showers. 
High Temperature............In the mid 60s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 10 mph. 
Sunrise.....................7:34 AM. 
Sunset......................7:47 PM.

.WEDNESDAY...
Swim Risk*..................Moderate. 
Wave Height.................1 to 3 feet. 
Weather.....................Mostly cloudy. 
High Temperature............In the mid 60s. 
Winds.......................Northeast winds around 10 mph. 
Sunrise.....................7:35 AM. 
Sunset......................7:45 PM.

.THURSDAY...Low swim risk*. Wave height around 1 foot. Partly
sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. East winds around 5 mph. 
.FRIDAY...Low swim risk*. Wave height 1 foot or less. Sunny.
Highs in the mid 60s. East winds around 5 mph. 
.SATURDAY...Low swim risk*. Wave height 1 foot or less. Mostly
sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. Southeast winds around 5 mph.

&&

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 additional information regarding beach safety and UV index
definitions see: https://www.weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards


$$

The water now, measured

Buoy 45170, Michigan City Buoy, IN, 3.4 mi away, reported 6:10 AM.

Waves: 2.6 ft at 5 seconds from the N
Water temperature: 53 °F
Air temperature: 52 °F
Wind: 12 kt from the ENE

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: 7:35 AM
Sunset today: 7:45 PM
Sunrise tomorrow: 7:36 AM
Sunset tomorrow: 7:43 PM

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

Beaches in this forecast

Mt. Baldy
Washington Park
Long Beach

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 IWX, issued 338 AM EDT, 9/22/2026. 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 INZ103.