Skip to main content
AREAZINENotices · US CA UK AU

National Weather ServiceLakeshore Flood AdvisoryVTEC LS.YArchive to October 1, 2026

Lakeshore Flood Advisory: what it means and how often it is issued

The National Weather Service issued 10 lakeshore flood advisories in 2025 and 34 a year on average in 2008-2025; Michigan, Indiana and Illinois got the most in 2021-2025. 2026 through September: 3, 84% below the average of 19 for those months in 2008-2025.

What is a lakeshore flood advisory?

A lakeshore flood advisory covers minor flooding along a Great Lakes shore, such as water over low shore roads and beaches. An advisory is issued for a hazard less serious than a warning that can still cause inconvenience or danger if people are not careful.

Warning, watch or advisory: the three levels compared

Source: National Weather Service directives and glossary.

How many lakeshore flood advisories a year?

10 lakeshore flood advisories in 2025
1002003002008: 120082009: 420092010: 120102011: 1220112012: 320122013: 120132014: 1320142015: 1720152016: 720162017: 2420172018: 3320182019: 16420192020: 22120202021: 5320212022: 2220222023: 1620232024: 820242025: 1020252026: 320262008-2025 average 342026 through September: 31002003002008: 120082009: 42010: 120102011: 122012: 320122013: 12014: 1320142015: 172016: 720162017: 242018: 3320182019: 1642020: 22120202021: 532022: 2220222023: 162024: 820242025: 102026: 320262008-2025 average 342026 through September: 31002003002008: 120082009: 42010: 120102011: 122012: 320122013: 12014: 1320142015: 172016: 720162017: 242018: 3320182019: 1642020: 22120202021: 532022: 2220222023: 162024: 820242025: 102026: 320262008-2025 average 342026 through September: 31002003002008: 120082009: 42010: 12011: 122012: 32013: 12014: 132015: 1720152016: 72017: 242018: 332019: 1642020: 22120202021: 532022: 222023: 162024: 82025: 102026: 320262008-2025 average 342026 through September: 3

National count: each lakeshore flood advisory counted once, whatever the number of states it covers. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.

The numbers
YearCount
2026 (through September)3
202510
20248
202316
202222
202153
2020221
2019164
201833
201724
20167
201517
201413
20131
20123
201112
20101
20094
20081

Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.

When in the year?

Lakeshore Flood Advisories by month, 2008-2025
50100Jan: 66JanFeb: 35FebMar: 57MarApr: 46AprMay: 38MayJun: 24JunJul: 13JulAug: 21AugSep: 45SepOct: 100OctNov: 97NovDec: 68Dec10050100Jan: 66JanFeb: 35FebMar: 57MarApr: 46AprMay: 38MayJun: 24JunJul: 13JulAug: 21AugSep: 45SepOct: 100OctNov: 97NovDec: 68Dec10050100Jan: 66JanFeb: 35FebMar: 57MarApr: 46AprMay: 38MayJun: 24JunJul: 13JulAug: 21AugSep: 45SepOct: 100OctNov: 97NovDec: 68Dec10050100Jan: 66JFeb: 35FMar: 57MApr: 46AMay: 38MJun: 24JJul: 13JAug: 21ASep: 45SOct: 100ONov: 97NDec: 68D100

Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.

Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.

Which states get the most lakeshore flood advisories?

Michigan gets the most: 17 a year in 2021-2025
MichiganMichigan: 1717IndianaIndiana: 33IllinoisIllinois: 22New YorkNew York: 22WisconsinWisconsin: 11MinnesotaMinnesota: 00MichiganMichigan: 1717IndianaIndiana: 33IllinoisIllinois: 22New YorkNew York: 22WisconsinWisconsin: 11MinnesotaMinnesota: 00MichiganMichigan: 1717IndianaIndiana: 33IllinoisIllinois: 22New YorkNew York: 22WisconsinWisconsin: 11MinnesotaMinnesota: 00MichiganMichigan: 1717IndianaIndiana: 33IllinoisIllinois: 22New YorkNew York: 22WisconsinWisconsin: 11MinnesotaMinnesota: 00

Yearly average per state, 2021-2025. A lakeshore flood advisory covering two states counts in both.

StateA year, 2021-2025A year, 2008-20252025
Michigan17238
Indiana351
Illinois230
New York231
Wisconsin130
Minnesota000

Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.