2019-Oct-21
October 20 Water Levels Report
Temperatures were generally below average last week, with low temperatures reaching below freezing in some areas. There was also significant precipitation throughout much of the Great Lakes basin, with a large storm providing even more rainfall over Lake Ontario and some of Lake Erie on Wednesday and Thursday. So far this month, the Great Lakes basin has received 145% of its normal October precipitation. Over the next seven days expect significant rainfall over the majority of the Great Lakes basin. Over that same period, temperatures should remain slightly below normal throughout most of the basin with the exception of Lake Ontario.
Lake Superior is 1 inch higher than a month ago, Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie, and Ontario are 1, 6, 8, and 8 inches respectively, below what they were a month ago. The lakes are 3 to 16 inches higher than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are expected to fall 2, 2, 3, 3 & 5 inches respectively over the next month.
Lake Superior’s outflow through the St. Mary’s River is predicted to be above average in October. Lake Michigan-Huron’s outflow into the St. Clair River and the outflow of Lake St. Clair through the Detroit River are projected to be above average. Moreover, Lake Erie’s outflow through the Niagara River and the outflow of Lake Ontario through the St. Lawrence River are forecasted to be above average for October.