Buffalo, NY Lake Erie Conditions
Live water temperature, waves, and wind for Buffalo Harbor and the far eastern basin.
Updated Sep 8, 4:42 AM ET · Source: NWS Buffalo (no NOAA buoy at this port)
Buffalo sits at the far eastern end of Lake Erie, where the lake drains into the Niagara River. The shallow water at this end warms and cools fast, and strong southwest winds can pile up steep waves toward the eastern shore. It is a productive smallmouth bass and walleye fishery with easy harbor access.
Get real-time Lake Erie boating and fishing conditions for Buffalo, NY. There is no NOAA buoy on the New York shore, so Lake Erie Pulse uses the National Weather Service Buffalo nearshore marine forecast for Buffalo Harbor and the far eastern basin for waves and water temperature, and the NWS point forecast for wind, so you can check conditions before you launch.
Waves 1 foot or less
Issued 342 AM EDT Tue Sep 8 2026
Buffalo, NY Marine Forecast
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Hourly forecast, all buoys, radar, and alerts on the interactive conditions map.
Open live conditionsBuffalo, NY Lake Erie Conditions FAQ
What is the Lake Erie water temperature at Buffalo, NY right now?
The latest Lake Erie water temperature near Buffalo, NY is 74°F, from the National Weather Service Buffalo nearshore marine forecast (water temperature off Buffalo). There is no NOAA buoy on the New York shore.
How high are the waves at Buffalo, NY on Lake Erie today?
The NWS nearshore marine forecast for zone LEZ040 calls for waves 1 foot or less today, with winds SE at 2 mph. There is no NOAA buoy on the New York shore, so check the forecast and any small craft advisories before boating.
Where does Lake Erie Pulse get conditions for Buffalo, NY?
Conditions for Buffalo, NY come from official sources: the National Weather Service Buffalo nearshore marine forecast for zone LEZ040 (waves and the water temperature off Buffalo) and the NWS point forecast for wind and weather. There is no NOAA buoy on the New York shore.
Conditions at other Lake Erie ports
Lake Erie Conditions FAQ
How often are Lake Erie conditions updated?
Live buoy readings refresh about every 5 minutes and NWS forecasts every 15 minutes, pulled directly from NOAA and the National Weather Service.
Where does the Lake Erie water temperature and wave data come from?
From NOAA's nearshore NDBC buoy network along the lake (stations 45200–45208, plus 45176 and 45167), reported in real time.
What is a Small Craft Advisory on Lake Erie?
The National Weather Service issues a Small Craft Advisory when winds or waves are hazardous to small boats — typically sustained winds around 20–33 knots or waves of about 4 feet or more. Check the Alerts page before heading out.
Can I see conditions for my specific harbor?
Yes — pick your port for a dedicated page with live water temperature, waves, wind, and the marine forecast. Ports range from Toledo and Port Clinton in the west to Cleveland, Fairport, Ashtabula, and Erie, PA in the east.