Indiana Dunes National Park, IN
Today’s Forecast:
Today’s Report:
Hiking
Use Caution for hiking. High near 40°F. Rain forecast later today (93%). Light wind (10 mph).
- Temp: Marginal weather factor
- Rain: Marginal weather factor
- Wind: Favorable conditions
- Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Biking
Not Recommended for biking. High near 40°F. Rain forecast later today (93%). Light wind (10 mph). Temperatures outside comfort limits (40°F).
- Temp: Unfavorable weather factor
- Rain: Marginal weather factor
- Wind: Favorable conditions
- Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Camping
Use Caution for camping. High near 40°F. Rain forecast later today (93%). Light wind (10 mph).
- Temp: Marginal weather factor
- Rain: Marginal weather factor
- Wind: Favorable conditions
- Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Paddling
Not Recommended for paddling. High near 40°F. Rain forecast later today (93%). Breezy winds (10 mph). Temperatures outside comfort limits (40°F).
- Temp: Unfavorable weather factor
- Rain: Marginal weather factor
- Wind: Marginal weather factor
- Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Fishing
Use Caution for fishing. High near 40°F. Rain forecast later today (93%). Light wind (10 mph).
- Temp: Marginal weather factor
- Rain: Marginal weather factor
- Wind: Favorable conditions
- Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Cross-Country Skiing
Use Caution for cross-country skiing. High near 40°F. Rain forecast later today (93%). Light wind (10 mph).
- Temp: Marginal weather factor
- Rain: Marginal weather factor
- Wind: Favorable conditions
- Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
About Indiana Dunes National Park
West beach, miller woods, portage lakefront, cowles bog, beverly shores, the little calumet river and national-park shoreline create several distinct weather decisions on a single trip.
Planning an Outing
Start with Lake Michigan waves and cold water, dune exposure, beach status, river access, lake-effect snow and cross-county weather differences; for this dispersed dune-and-wetland corridor, a same-day operating notice carries more weight than a general regional forecast.
Weather Tips
- For this dispersed dune-and-wetland corridor, use the Little Calumet River as the primary sheltered paddling anchor and check current bridge or access closures.
- For this dispersed dune-and-wetland corridor, hand-carried nonmotorized craft may use authorized Lake Michigan launch areas, but not the guarded West Beach swim area while lifeguards are present. Open-lake paddling requires advanced skills, cold-water protection and a favorable marine forecast.
- For this dispersed dune-and-wetland corridor, fog, dangerous waves, rip currents and blowing sand can make one beach unsuitable while a sheltered inland unit remains usable.
Nearby Towns and Areas
- Chesterton
- Portage
- Beverly Shores
- Gary
- West Beach
- Miller Woods
- Cowles Bog
Adjust the Day to the Forecast
Stay ashore or move to a short protected trail; otherwise, switch from natural-surface riding to a paved route.
7-Day Forecast
Weather by Season
Winter
Across this dispersed dune-and-wetland corridor, shelf ice, freezing spray and lake-effect squalls make the shoreline hazardous; dunes can conceal ice beneath drifting sand.
Spring
Within this dispersed dune-and-wetland corridor, rising gauge levels, faster current and floating debris follow basin-wide rain; floodplain trails can stay closed after the crest passes.
Summer
On this dispersed dune-and-wetland corridor, afternoon wind can build waves across the longest fetch, and warm water may bring algae or beach advisories.
Fall
Around this dispersed dune-and-wetland corridor, colder water arrives before winter air, so a mild afternoon can still demand immersion protection; stronger fronts also shorten launch windows.
Key Climate Data Points
- Local climate: This dispersed dune-and-wetland corridor in Northwest Indiana and Lake Michigan has an annual average temperature about 50–52°F, receives roughly 38–42 inches of precipitation and typically records normally 35–50 inches, with localized lake-effect bursts producing sharp year-to-year differences.
- Wettest season: Late spring and early summer, with another stormy window during autumn lake-effect transitions; this estimate reflects West Beach.
- Driest season: Late summer, though persistent northwest flow can turn showery near the lake; this estimate reflects West Beach.
- Annual average temperature: About 50–52°f; this estimate reflects West Beach.
- Annual snowfall: Normally 35–50 inches, with localized lake-effect bursts producing sharp year-to-year differences; this estimate reflects West Beach.