Lake · Vermont

Lake Champlain water temperature today

Measured November 5, 2026 at 8:00 AM EST at Lake Champlain at Burlington, Vt, a U.S. Geological Survey lake gauge 4.2 mi away.

54°F
Very cold 12.3°C · +4.1°F vs a typical November
Last reading50 min agoLake Champlain at Burlington, Vt
Air now59°FRain Showers
Air high63°Fnext 12 hours
Sunrise · sunset6:37 AM · 4:39 PMlocal time

Checking current alerts… View NWS forecast and alerts.

Is it too cold to swim in Lake Champlain today?

The latest reading is 54°F (12.3°C), measured November 5, 2026 at 8:00 AM EST at Lake Champlain at Burlington, Vt. That is very cold water.

Between 50°F and 60°F, rated very dangerous to immediately life-threatening: the range where most unacclimated people have a maximum cold shock response. Temperature is only one factor: check rip current and surf alerts, and swim near lifeguards.

How cold is too cold to swim?

Water temperature this week

Hourly water temperature at Lake Champlain at Burlington, Vt

50° 53° 56° FriSunMonWedThu

Water temperature through the year

Average water temperature by month, satellite 2016–2025. Warmest in August.

Average water temperature by month

MonthAverageColdest yearWarmest year
January 37°F 35°F 40°F
February 35°F 32°F 38°F
March 36°F 34°F 38°F
April 41°F 37°F 44°F
May 50°F 44°F 55°F
June 60°F 53°F 65°F
July 69°F 64°F 74°F
August 70°F 66°F 74°F
September 66°F 63°F 69°F
October 58°F 54°F 62°F
November 49°F 46°F 51°F
December 41°F 39°F 44°F
Monthly mean sea surface temperature from the NASA JPL MUR satellite analysis, 2016–2025, at the nearest water pixel. Afternoon water at the shore can be warmer.

Other water temperature readings nearby

SourceWaterDistanceUpdated
NASA JPL MUR satellite nearest water53°F0.0 miNov 3
Bay and creek gauges and offshore buoys can differ from the water at the beach.

Water temperatures nearby

Today’s UV index in Burlington

Frequently asked questions

Is it too cold to swim in Lake Champlain today?

The latest reading is 54°F (12.3°C), measured November 5, 2026 at 8:00 AM EST at Lake Champlain at Burlington, Vt. That is very cold water. Between 50°F and 60°F, rated very dangerous to immediately life-threatening: the range where most unacclimated people have a maximum cold shock response. Temperature is only one factor: check rip current and surf alerts, and swim near lifeguards. How cold is too cold?

When is the water warmest at Lake Champlain?

Based on satellite data from 2016 to 2025, the water is warmest in August (average 70°F) and coldest in February (average 35°F).

Where does this water temperature come from?

From Lake Champlain at Burlington, Vt, a lake gauge operated by U.S. Geological Survey, 4.2 mi away. See the methodology.

Sources: U.S. Geological Survey; NASA JPL MUR satellite analysis; forecast and alerts from the National Weather Service. Readings are provisional. All Vermont water temperatures · Methodology