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Public Information Statement

National Weather Service Buffalo NY

858 AM EDT Sat May 18 2024



...NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK BEGINS...



The National Weather Service in partnership with the National Safe 

Boating Council has declared May 18 through May 24 2024 National 

Safe Boating Week to help promote safe boating practices across the 

Great Lakes and on inland lakes and waterways.



Today's topic is knowing the forecast before you go out. Before 

heading out on the waters, whether on the Great Lakes or at many of 

the region's inland lakes, understanding a marine forecast is 

critical to safe boating. Weather and wave conditions can change 

suddenly, catching boaters off-guard and creating life-threatening 

conditions. 



Typical marine forecasts found at weather.gov/greatlakes and 

weather.gov/buf and on NOAA weather radio include wind speed and 

direction, wave heights and expected weather conditions. Forecast 

wave heights are Significant Wave Height, which is defined as the 

average of the top one third of the wave spectrum.  A few waves in 

the wave spectrum will be higher than the forecast. Wind conditions 

can vary from the forecast in some locations due to localized 

effects from the shoreline.  Waves can also vary from the forecast 

in some locations due to localized effects from water current, and 

the bathymetry of the underlying lake floor.  



Boaters should plan for a range of conditions and take particular 

note of any current advisories and warnings, including small craft 

advisories, gale or storm warnings which alert mariners to either 

high winds or waves occurring now or forecast to occur in the next 

day or two.



Special marine warnings are issued for winds of over 34 knots or

39 miles per hour, water spouts and hail of 3/4 inches or greater 

and indicate a more immediate threat. Marine weather statements 

bring attention to significant rapidly changing conditions on the

water including a sudden increase in winds, non severe 

thunderstorms, development of dense fog or strong and gusty rain

showers.



If you go out on the water, you should have a marine VHF 

radio equipped with a weatherband to receive the latest broadcast 

from NOAA weather radio. If you venture beyond 25 nautical miles 

from the shore you should make sure you are outfitted with 

sufficient radio and communications systems. 



To obtain the latest marine forecast and warning information from 

the NWS, visit weather.gov/greatlakes, weather.gov or listen to NOAA 

Weather Radio. For more information about boating safety visit 

weather.gov/safety/safeboating-week and safeboatingcampaign.com



$$