Waukegan Buoy, IL (45186) — Live Marine Conditions & Buoy Data
NOAA station 45186, Waukegan Buoy, IL, reports real-time marine conditions from 42.368°N, 87.795°W in Lake Michigan (Illinois). Readings refresh roughly every 10 minutes, and Big Buoy adds a solunar table and a multi-day weather outlook for the area.
Lake Michigan Marine Conditions — Waukegan Buoy, IL is one of several stations in Lake Michigan. See live buoy data and solunar for the whole area.
Current conditions at Waukegan Buoy, IL
As of October 19, 2026 at 19:40 UTC, Waukegan Buoy, IL (45186) is reporting water temperature 56°F, air temperature 59°F, wave height 1.0 ft at a 2-second dominant period, wind from the ESE at 11 mph gusting 13 mph, and barometric pressure 30.31 inHg.
- Water temperature
- 56°F
- Air temperature
- 59°F
- Wave height
- 1.0 ft @ 2 s
- Wind
- ESE 11 mph (gust 13)
- Barometric pressure
- 30.31 inHg
Observed October 19, 2026 at 19:40 UTC from NOAA NDBC station 45186. Readings update about every 10 minutes.
What NOAA buoy 45186 measures
As a NOAA meteorological station, 45186 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 Waukegan Buoy?
- Sea surface temperature at Waukegan Buoy was 56°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:40 UTC by NOAA station 45186 (Waukegan Buoy, IL). NDBC measures this near the surface, at a depth that varies by station.
- What is the air temperature at Waukegan Buoy?
- Air temperature at Waukegan Buoy was 59°F. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:40 UTC by NOAA station 45186 (Waukegan Buoy, IL).
- What is the wind doing at Waukegan Buoy?
- Wind at Waukegan Buoy was from the ESE at 11 mph, with peak gusts to 13 mph. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:40 UTC by NOAA station 45186 (Waukegan Buoy, IL). 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 Waukegan Buoy?
- Significant wave height at Waukegan Buoy was 1.0 ft, with a 2-second dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:40 UTC by NOAA station 45186 (Waukegan Buoy, IL). 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 Waukegan Buoy?
- Waves at Waukegan Buoy were arriving from 152° true (SSE) at the dominant period. Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:40 UTC by NOAA station 45186 (Waukegan Buoy, IL).
- What is the barometric pressure at Waukegan Buoy?
- Sea-level pressure at Waukegan Buoy was 30.31 inHg (1026.4 hPa). Measured October 19, 2026 at 19:40 UTC by NOAA station 45186 (Waukegan Buoy, IL). NDBC reports pressure reduced to sea level rather than the raw reading at the station.
- Where is NOAA buoy 45186 located?
- Waukegan Buoy, IL (45186) reports from 42.368°N, 87.795°W in Lake Michigan (Illinois).
- How often is NOAA buoy 45186 updated?
- Station 45186 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 45186 measure?
- Big Buoy shows wind, barometric pressure, air and water temperature, and wave height and period where available for Waukegan Buoy, IL, plus solunar peak windows and a multi-day weather outlook.
- Is Big Buoy free to use?
- Yes. Live data for Waukegan Buoy, IL 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.