Michigan’s Boat and Beach weather: You’ll want to take advantage of this weekend

With no storm systems heading through Michigan this weekend, it’s a must-go to your favorite beach or your favorite lake.

Along the Lake Michigan shoreline there will actually be some beaches with warmer water than other beaches. As the wind blows from the southeast Saturday, some upwelling will develop. Upwelling is when the warmest water right on the shoreline is pushed out into the middle of the lake, and cold water comes up at the shoreline to replace the warm water.

The water forecast for southern Lake Michigan Saturday afternoon shows warm water in the 70s along the far southern coastline. You will notice the upwelling trying to develop from Holland northward, with chilly water in the 60s.

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Water temperature forecast Saturday afternoon. You may have to go almost to Indiana to find 70 degree water temperatures (seagull.glos.org)

Northern Lake Michigan beaches are going to have some great sunshine and warmth, but not warm waters at the beach.

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Water temperature forecast Saturday afternoon. The thin ribbon of yellow along the shore denotes a water temperature forecast in the 60s. (seagull.glos.org)

Lake Huron’s beaches will benefit from the southeast wind Saturday and no upwelling. In fact, the opposite occurs along the eastern Thumb, with warm water piling up at the beaches. Expect beach water in the 70s through Saginaw Bay and south along the Lake Huron shoreline to Port Huron.

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Water temperature forecast Saturday afternoon. Most beaches will have water temperatures in the 70s. (seagull.glos.org)

Tawas’ beach north to Alpena will also have water temperatures in the 70s.

boat beach

Water temperature forecast Saturday afternoon. Most beaches will have water temperatures in the 70s. (seagull.glos.org)

Sunday will be a day with a few more degrees of heat in the air, with temperatures at the beaches heading into at least the low-80s.

Do you get my hint? It’s a great beach weekend, and there may only be one or two of these weekends left before we turn much cooler.

If you want to use up the gas in the boat, it’s a great weekend for getting out on your favorite Michigan lake, whether it’s a Great Lake or inland lake. Winds will be out of the southeast to south and not super strong. The wind and wave forecasts below show Great Lakes waves less than two feet Saturday and one to three feet Sunday. Winds across Michigan will be less than 12 mph through the weekend.

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Waves forecast for 2 p.m. Saturday

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Wave forecast for 2 p.m. Sunday

It’s the last weekend in August, and it’s a good beach weekend. It’s also a good boating weekend. I can see one more weekend like this possibly before fall, but the water certainly won’t be as warm.

Force yourself and family to get out there for some summer fun.

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