[jrmontag]

Does anyone know if Grand Traverse Bay is warm enough to swim in now (or at least by next week)? I'm assuming Lake Michigan isn't yet but I thought the bay might be.

Or, for that matter, how about Long Lake or places like that?

Thanks in advance!

[Wulf67]

It depends what "warm enough" is for you. You can check current water temperatures here:
Michigan Sea Grant Coastwatch

[Bydand]

My boys thought it was plenty warm enough in Lake Michigan yesterday and today. Just a few miles north of Ludington. Me personally thought they were nuts.

[mofromcheboygankalamazoo]

I know you are not talking about the same long lake, but long lake in Cheboygan is 63 degrees as of sunday so I assume that other inland lakes might be similar.....this particular long lake is spring fed....can't wait to be back in 2 weeks!!!!!

[jrmontag]

Originally Posted by Wulf67

It depends what "warm enough" is for you. You can check current water temperatures here:
Michigan Sea Grant Coastwatch

I've actually been tracking it on there but I was skeptical because one day (yesterday I think) the GT Bay was in the mid-50's and now today it's saying 74. I thought maybe there was some error.

That doesn't have small inland lakes on it either (obviously) which is why I was looking for some word-of-mouth. I'd assume they'd be warmer.

Warm enough for me would be 65 or more probably, especially if it were a very hot day outside.

[Peter B]

I live a block from West Grand Traverse Bay and it's 57F today, hypothermia w/in a half hour or so. It'll be good to swim in a couple of weeks but not just yet

[Bydand]

The water temps in the big lake change very fast (overall warms up slowly, but an onshore breeze will hold the water in the shallows and it will warm quickly.) Yesterday the water was a LOT warmer than today, very noticeable difference actually. Even the kids admitted that today the water was a bit cold. On the Sea Grant website it had the water temp where we go at around 58, today it had it at 47. Wind changed direction, and that makes all the difference.

[Wulf67]

Originally Posted by jrmontag

I've actually been tracking it on there but I was skeptical because one day (yesterday I think) the GT Bay was in the mid-50's and now today it's saying 74. I thought maybe there was some error.

I see what you mean. Today GT Bay shows 44.3 degrees and 34 near Charlevoix. Those maps are pretty useless.

Maybe this one is a bit more accurate. Interesting to see how the temps change throughout the day.
http://www.co-ops.nos.noaa.gov/ofs/lmofs/now_temp.shtml

[jrmontag]

Originally Posted by Peter B

I live a block from West Grand Traverse Bay and it's 57F today, hypothermia w/in a half hour or so. It'll be good to swim in a couple of weeks but not just yet

Do you have a current update for me?

[Bydand]

At Ludington yesterday the water temp was 70 already in the early afternoon, and by 6PM it was mid 70's just a few miles North of town.