Dear Tom,
We’ve been on Lake Michigan with 10 to 12 foot high waves. What are the yearly and record high waves on the lake?
Ted Anderson, Lake Forest
Dear Ted,
The National Weather Service and Coast Guard do not maintain records for maximum wave heights on Lake Michigan, but the highest waves observed on the lake are just over 20 feet. That’s the wave height measured vertically from trough to crest.
Maximum wave heights of 20 to 22 feet are the consensus estimate of experienced Lake Michigan marine forecasters–a group comprised of meteorologists at the Chicago National Weather Service office and four former staff members of the Chicago office who are now co-producers of this weather page.
Rogue waves of 30 to 35 feet have been reported on Lake Michigan, but never verified.
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Tom Skilling is chief meteorologist at WGN-TV. His forecasts can be seen Monday through Friday on WGN-TV News at noon and 9 p.m.
Write to: ASK TOM WHY, 2501 Bradley Pl., Chicago, IL 60618 or asktomwhy@wgntv.com (Mail volume precludes personal response.)
WGN-TV meteorologists Steve Kahn, Richard Koeneman and Paul Dailey plus weather producer Bill Snyder contribute to this page.
