Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City, MI (45175) — Live Marine Conditions & Buoy Data
NOAA station 45175, Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City, MI , reports real-time marine conditions from 45.825°N, 84.772°W in Lake Michigan (Michigan). Readings refresh roughly every 10 minutes, and Big Buoy adds a solunar table and a multi-day weather outlook for the area.
Current conditions at Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City, MI
As of October 19, 2026 at 19:40 UTC, Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City, MI (45175) is reporting water temperature 54°F, air temperature 57°F, wave height 1.0 ft, wind from the NW at 7 mph gusting 9 mph, and barometric pressure 30.35 inHg.
- Water temperature
- 54°F
- Air temperature
- 57°F
- Wave height
- 1.0 ft
- Wind
- NW 7 mph (gust 9)
- Barometric pressure
- 30.35 inHg
Observed October 19, 2026 at 19:40 UTC from NOAA NDBC station 45175. Readings update about every 10 minutes.
What NOAA buoy 45175 measures
As a NOAA meteorological station, 45175 reports wind speed, gusts and direction, barometric pressure, air and water temperature, and — where wave sensors are fitted — significant wave height, swell period, and wave direction.
What to watch in Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan’s long north-south axis lets a sustained northerly or southerly wind build large, steep seas over its full fetch, sometimes within hours. Summer stratification is sharp and wind-driven upwelling can swing nearshore water temperature 15–20°F in a day, so watch wind direction and buoy temperatures together.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the water temperature at Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City?
- Sea surface temperature at Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City was 54°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:40 UTC by NOAA station 45175 (Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City, MI ). NDBC measures this near the surface, at a depth that varies by station.
- What is the air temperature at Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City?
- Air temperature at Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City was 57°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:40 UTC by NOAA station 45175 (Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City, MI ).
- What is the wind doing at Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City?
- Wind at Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City was from the NW at 7 mph, with peak gusts to 9 mph. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:40 UTC by NOAA station 45175 (Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City, MI ). NDBC records wind at the station’s anemometer height, which is not the 10 m height used in marine forecasts.
- How big are the waves at Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City?
- Significant wave height at Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City was 1.0 ft. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:40 UTC by NOAA station 45175 (Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City, MI ). Significant wave height is the average of the highest one-third of waves — individual waves can be larger.
- Which direction are the waves coming from at Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City?
- Waves at Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City were arriving from 62° true (ENE) at the dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:40 UTC by NOAA station 45175 (Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City, MI ).
- What is the barometric pressure at Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City?
- Sea-level pressure at Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City was 30.35 inHg (1027.8 hPa). Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:40 UTC by NOAA station 45175 (Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City, MI ). NDBC reports pressure reduced to sea level rather than the raw reading at the station.
- Where is NOAA buoy 45175 located?
- Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City, MI (45175) reports from 45.825°N, 84.772°W in Lake Michigan (Michigan).
- How often is NOAA buoy 45175 updated?
- Station 45175 typically reports new observations about every 10 minutes. Big Buoy refreshes continuously so you always see the latest readings, alongside a solunar table for the area.
- What does NOAA buoy 45175 measure?
- Big Buoy shows wind, barometric pressure, air and water temperature, and wave height and period where available for Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City, MI , plus solunar peak windows and a multi-day weather outlook.
- Is Big Buoy free to use?
- Yes. Live data for Mackinac Straits West, Mackinaw City, MI and every other NOAA buoy is free with no account required. Big Buoy Pro adds the Wind Tab, the Depth Chart, satellite overlays (sea surface temp, chlorophyll, currents), 16-day forecasts, and forecast model switching.