As Beaches Open, Lake Michigan Water Temps At Near-Record Lows For May

Published May 23, 2014 10:43 AM

CHICAGO (CBS) — As Chicago’s lakefront beaches officially open on Friday, the Lake Michigan water temperatures are among the coldest ever for this time of year.

The “south buoy” 43 nautical miles east-southeast of Milwaukee recorded the water temperature at 36 degrees on Thursday, which ranks amongst the coldest temperature recorded for this time of year, the National Weather Service reports.

In comparison, during the record warm spring of 2012, the south buoy was already reporting low 50 degree surface water temperatures by this date.

Closer to shore, the water temperature in Chicago is 58 degrees, which is still very uncomfortable and can be dangerous.

The official Lake Michigan temperatures as of Friday morning:

LAKE MICHIGAN WATER TEMPERATURES…
CHICAGO SHORE: 58
CHICAGO CRIB: 54
MONTROSE BEACH: 56
CALUMET BEACH: 58
MICHIGAN CITY: 49
SOUTHERN BUOY: 37