Great Lakes Observing System

06/22/2026

What: Beach hazards statement; high swim and rip current risk; Small craft advisory

Why: Winds and Waves: “High wave action and dangerous currents expected at Lake Michigan beaches. Waves 4 to 6 feet expected.” Beach Hazards Statement and Surf Zone Forecast found: https://www.weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards

When: Today, June 22, 2026, to end of day

Where: Southern Lake Michigan

Reporting sources: National Weather Service: https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/Forecasts/FZUS53.KGRR.html
https://www.weather.gov/greatlakes/beachhazards
Other: https://webcoos.org/cameras/indunes/
Seagull: https://seagull.glos.org/data-console/47

Winds creating choppy waters triggered a Small Craft Advisory for most of the southern half of Lake Michigan, this afternoon. Observe the waves and beach from the Webcoos We**am at https://webcoos.org/cameras/indunes/ and on the Seagull Map: https://seagull.glos.org/map?coords=-87.1801573%2C41.8679908%2C7.8

Additionally observe the latest measured conditions at https://seagull.glos.org/data-console/47 and other platforms along southern Lake Michigan.

06/18/2026

Next Thursday, June 25th, we will celebrate Ocean Data Day!

Ocean Data Day highlights the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes data systems that support blue economy communities, industries, research, and public safety every day.

Learn more about Ocean Data Day and how you can participate:
https://ioosassociation.org/OceanDataDay.

06/18/2026

We are three months out from the Lakebed 2030 Conference!

And one month from the abstract submission deadline - July 17th. Make sure to get registered, submit your abstract, and get excited for a great gathering focused on all things Great Lakes Mapping, in Traverse City, MI.

We can’t wait! Looking forward to seeing you there!
https://www.nmc.edu/marine-center/lakebed-2030-conference.html

https://glos.org/lakebed-2030/lakebed-2030-conference/

06/18/2026

Two new buoys are headed for lower Green Bay to help better characterize wave conditions.
Learn more about this project here: https://hubs.ly/Q04lTcKs0

Great Lakes Observing System

06/18/2026

This summer, Saginaw Bay is getting a high-tech visitor! The Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) is deploying a SeaTrac uncrewed surface vessel from July 29th to September 4th as part of the SHARC (Surface Harmful Algal Research Craft) project. SHARC is a cutting-edge effort to monitor and understand Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron. Deployment of the SeaTrac will operate out of Sebewaing, MI, with the craft conducting both underway sampling and holding locations far northeast as Caseville, MI. Please stay at least 200 feet away from this freshwater SHARC if you see it at work!

See more details on this exciting field campaign at our blog:
https://www.glerl.noaa.gov/blog/2026/06/11/freshwater-sharc-new-hab-monitoring-technology-to-be-deployed-in-saginaw-bay/

06/17/2026

We are very excited about this work with Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant! It's an incredible resource for anyone needing to see what's going on at the lakefront before heading to the beach or getting in the water.

Real-time coastlines, real-world insights. Check out the LIVE feed of Lake Michigan at Indiana Dunes State Park Beach – supporting recreationalists, researchers, and the broader public, linked here: https://www.webcoos.org/cameras/indunes/

This work is in partnership between the Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA), the Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS), Indiana Dunes State Park, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant with support from Surfline.

Check out IISG’s website for more information on this collaborative project.
• Coastal Monitoring to Enhance Resilience at Indiana Dunes State Park: https://iiseagrant.org/work/coastal-resilience/programs-initiatives/coastal-monitoring-enhancing-resilience-at-indiana-dunes-state-park/

• Watching the Water: Using Cameras to Foster Engagement at Indiana Dunes State Park: https://iiseagrant.org/work/recreation-tourism/programs-initiatives/watching-the-water-using-cameras-to-foster-engagement-at-indiana-dunes-state-park/

Also featured on Seagull and Indiana Coastal Atlas.

Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources
University of Illinois Extension
Southern Lake Michigan Water Safety Task Force
US National Weather Service Chicago Illinois
Save the Dunes
Shirley Heinze Land Trust
Indiana Dunes National Park
Indiana Dunes
Friends of Indiana Dunes, Inc.

06/16/2026

Next week is Ocean Data Day. This year’s theme: Coastal Data for a Strong Economy.

A 2021 study found that IOOS regional observing systems generate an estimated $192–$233 million annually for users—about five times the annual investment—demonstrating the value of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes data for the blue economy, research, public safety, and coastal communities.

In our region, CARICOOS is the only coordinated ocean observing system serving Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing ocean data and forecasts that support decision-making.

On June 25, we’ll celebrate the ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes data systems that support the blue economy communities, industries, research, and public safety every day.

Explore the campaign and download materials: https://ioosassociation.org/OceanDataDay/



PacIOOS | CeNCOOS |GCOOS | Great Lakes Observing System |Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing Systemtem | NERACOOS| NANOOS| | Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System | SECOORA | U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System - Alaska Ocean Observing System- Maracoos - Mid-Atlantic Regional Association Coastal Ocean Observing System

06/16/2026

Next week is Ocean Data Day. This year’s theme: Coastal Data for a Strong Economy.
A 2021 study found that IOOS regional observing systems generate an estimated $192–
$233 million annually for users—about five times the annual investment—demonstrating
the value of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes data for the blue economy, research, public
safety, and coastal communities.
In our region, CARICOOS is the only coordinated ocean observing system serving Puerto
Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing ocean data and forecasts that support decisionmaking.

06/16/2026

Congratulations to May's Great Lakes Photo Contest winner - Jessica Middleton!
Jessica captured a beautiful sunset at Beverly Shores, Indiana, in her photo, “A Tapestry of Light and Water."

Congratulations Jessica, and thank you to all who submitted your photos in May. We are accepting entries for June through the 20th.

See our website for contest details and guidelines: https://glos.org/glos-great-lakes-photo-contest/

06/15/2026

It was an eventful weather weekend, with more to come later this week. Stay alert and be safe, on land and water!