Sandusky Bay Boating Sandusky Bay, Ohio
Weather

Boating Weather — Sandusky Bay

Marine forecast, wind and wave conditions, and small-craft advisories for Sandusky Bay and the Western Basin of Lake Erie. Always check the current NWS marine forecast before you head out.

National Weather Service · Cleveland Marine Zone LEZ144

Latest observation
Sandusky Bay Marine Desk
WindW 7.8knots · gust 9.7
Waves—feet
Air81°Fahrenheit
Pressure1,012.7hPa
Lake level572.34ft IGLD
NDBC 45005Observed Aug 8 · 11:20 PM UTCOffshore observations may differ inside the bay
NWS Cleveland · Nearshore forecast
LEZ142>144-090215-
Maumee Bay to Reno Beach OH-Reno Beach to The Islands OH-
The Islands to Vermilion OH-
351 PM EDT Sat Aug 8 2026

.TONIGHT...West winds 5 to 15 knots becoming northwest. A slight
chance of showers and thunderstorms early. Waves 2 feet or less. 
.SUNDAY...West winds 10 knots or less becoming southwest. Sunny.
Waves 1 foot or less. 
.SUNDAY NIGHT...Southwest winds 5 to 15 knots. A chance of
showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then showers likely
with a chance of thunderstorms overnight. Waves 2 feet or less. 
.MONDAY...Southwest winds 10 to 15 knots becoming west. Showers
likely with a chance of thunderstorms in the morning, then a
chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Waves
2 feet or less. 

Winds and waves higher in and near thunderstorms.

See Lake Erie open lakes forecast for Tuesday through Thursday.

The water temperature off Toledo is 76 degrees, off Cleveland 75
degrees, and off Erie 76 degrees.

Issued by NWS Cleveland Aug 8, 2026 7:51 PM UTC · Source text shown without AI rewriting.

⚠ Active marine alerts

Marine Weather Statement

Marine Weather Statement issued August 8 at 7:53PM EDT by NWS Cleveland OH

The areas affected include...
Avon Point to Willowick OH...
Avon Point to Willowick OH beyond 5 nm off shoreline to
US-Canadian border...
The Islands to Vermilion OH...
Vermilion to Avon Point OH...
Vermilion to Avon Point OH beyond 5 nm off shoreline to
US-Canadian border...
Willowick to Geneva-on-the Lake OH...

At 753 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated strong thunderstorms, capable
of producing winds to around 30 knots. These thunderstorms were
located along a line extending from 6 nm west of Willowick to near
Lorain Harbor, moving east at 15 knots.

Instructions: Mariners can expect gusty winds to around 30 knots, locally higher
waves, and lightning strikes. Boaters should seek safe harbor
immediately until these storms pass.

📡 Where to Check Before You Launch
NWS Cleveland — Marine
weather.gov/cle/marine — Zone LEZ144 (Sandusky to Willowick, 5NM offshore)
NDBC — Lake Erie buoys
ndbc.noaa.gov — real-time wave, wind, water temperature
Marine forecast (voice)
NOAA Weather Radio · KEC-62 Cleveland · 162.550 MHz
Great Lakes forecast text
NWS Cleveland nearshore forecast — Zone LEZ144
📏 Wave Rules of Thumb (Sandusky Bay)
  • Under 1 ft — comfortable for most small craft and kayaks.
  • 1–2 ft — typical bay chop; fine for 18–24 ft boats, plan more time to reach the islands.
  • 2–4 ft — western basin gets steep and short between waves. Consider staying inside the bay.
  • Small Craft Advisory — winds 22–33 kt or waves that will be hazardous to smaller vessels. Reschedule.

Lake Erie's shallow western basin builds waves fast when the wind picks up — always leave a weather margin.