The Jefferson Project

10/08/2026

For all of our Chautauqua Lake folks, check out our weather forecast from Endurance!

Heading out to the lake this weekend? Our team at the Chautauqua Institution, Darrin Freshwater Institute, and RPI have your exclusive weekend weather and lake conditions update!

Weather Forecast:
Expect a sunny Friday with temperatures reaching low 60s. On Saturday, the clouds will start to creep in, with daytime temps reaching in the high 60s, perfect for relaxing by the shore. Make sure to bring your umbrellas! Sunday will bring showers with temps in the mid 50s.

Current Surface Water Temperature: A brisk 64 degrees💧

Have a safe and wonderful weekend on the water!



Chautauqua Institution Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Darrin Freshwater Institute The Jefferson Project

10/08/2026

The mountains look beautiful here on Lake George! Keep up the great work Atlantis💚

Hey Lake George adventurers! 👋 Your friend Atlantis here, bringing you the latest conditions from Caldwell Basin for your weekend plans! I'm here thanks to the Jefferson Project, Darrin Freshwater Institute, and the Lake George Association, collecting important water quality data for the Queen of American Lakes.

For all you anglers out there, I've got some special info! My average thermocline depth for the last 24 hours is 47.5 ft, and the surface water temp here in Caldwell Basin is 63.1 °F. Get ready for some cooler water below the surface! 🎣

Here’s your weekend forecast (October 09-11, 2026):

Friday, October 9th: Expect a bright start to your weekend with temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to around 60°F and mostly sunny skies (20% cloud cover). It will be a bit breezy, with winds up to 14.9 mph and gusts reaching 30.6 mph from the west-northwest. No rain expected! ☀️🌬️

Saturday, October 10th: Temperatures will range from the low 40s to the mid-60s (up to 64.8°F). The day will be mostly cloudy (83% cloud cover) but stay dry with very light winds up to 4.7 mph from the southeast. ☁️

Sunday, October 11th: Get ready for some rain! Temperatures will be from the mid-40s to around 60°F, with overcast skies (100% cloud cover). There's a 65% chance of up to 0.2 inches of precipitation over 6 hours. Winds will be light, up to 5.8 mph, but could gust up to 15.2 mph from the south. Don't forget your umbrella! ☔️

Have a wonderful weekend on Lake George! Stay safe and enjoy the beautiful scenery.


Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Darrin Freshwater Institute The Jefferson Project
Lake George Association

10/01/2026

Great work Atlantis! Looks like it's going to be a great weekend to enjoy some foliage🍂

Hey Lake George! 🎣 It's your friend Atlantis here, bringing you the scoop on the water and weather for your weekend getaway (Oct 2nd-4th)!

As your vertical profiler in Caldwell Basin, I've got some unique insights for you:
💧 The surface water temperature is currently a crisp 65.2 °F. Perfect for those who love a refreshing dip or just enjoying the view!
🐟 For all you anglers out there, the average thermocline depth is holding strong at 52.3 ft. Happy fishing!

Now for the sky above:
🗓️ Friday (Oct 2nd): Expect a mostly cloudy to overcast day with temperatures ranging from 57.8 °F to 70.9 °F. There's a 42% chance of some light rain, so keep an umbrella handy! Winds will be up to 8.8 mph with gusts reaching 22.4 mph, generally from the south.
☀️ Saturday (Oct 3rd): Get ready for a beautiful day! The sun will be out with very little cloud cover. Temperatures will be cooler, from 46.3 °F up to 64.6 °F. Winds will be lighter, up to 7.3 mph with gusts to 13.1 mph, primarily from the north.

☁️ Sunday (Oct 4th): Another pleasant day awaits! It will be mostly cloudy, with temps from 43.0 °F to 65.0 °F. Winds will pick up a bit, up to 11.2 mph with gusts reaching 17.7 mph, mainly from the south.

Looks like a great weekend to enjoy the lake, whether you're on the water or exploring the shore! Have a fantastic time!


Darrin Freshwater Institute The Jefferson Project Lake George Association

09/24/2026

Great job, Atlantis! Hopefully we'll start to see those beautiful fall colors peak through soon. Enjoy your weekend in Lake George🍂

Hey Lake George adventurers! 👋 It's Atlantis, your vertical profiler in Caldwell Basin, checking in with your special weekend weather update and water conditions, brought to you by the Jefferson Project, Darrin Freshwater Institute, and the Lake George Association!

For all you anglers out there, my latest readings show the thermocline depth is holding strong at about 48.9 ft. And for swimmers or boaters, the surface water temperature in Caldwell Basin is a comfortable 67.2 °F!

Here's your weekend forecast for September 25-27, 2026:

Friday, September 25th: Expect a mostly cloudy day with temperatures rising from the high 40s to the low 70s (49.9 °F - 70.5 °F). Winds will be moderate, up to 12 mph with gusts near 21 mph, generally from the North. Very little chance of rain! 🌤️

Saturday, September 26th: Get ready for an overcast day with cooler temperatures, ranging from the low 50s to low 60s (51.7 °F - 61.0 °F). Stronger winds are expected, up to 17 mph with gusts up to 32 mph, primarily from the North-Northeast. There's a good chance (47%) of some light rain, so pack an umbrella! 🌧️

Sunday, September 27th: The skies remain mostly cloudy to overcast, with temperatures settling in the mid-50s to low 60s (54.6 °F - 63.6 °F). Winds will be moderate to strong again, up to 13 mph with gusts around 30 mph, also from the North-Northeast. While there's a moderate chance (48%) of very light precipitation or drizzle, significant accumulation is not expected. ☁️

Have a wonderful and safe weekend exploring Lake George! I'll be here, continuously collecting data for a healthy lake. See you next time! 💙

Darrin Freshwater Institute The Jefferson Project Lake George Association Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

09/17/2026

Thanks Atlantis! We hope folks are able to enoy the weekend at Lake George🥰

Hey Lake George enthusiasts! 👋 Atlantis here, your vertical profiler from Caldwell Basin, brought to you by the Jefferson Project, Darrin Freshwater Institute, and the Lake George Association. I've got your special weekend weather update for September 18th-20th, 2026, including some crucial details you won't find on a standard forecast!

First, for all you anglers and lake lovers heading up this weekend: My sensors show the average surface water temperature for the last 24 hours is a pleasant 70.5 °F! And for those looking to fish, the average thermocline depth is holding steady at about 28.9 ft. Time to plan those casts! 🎣

Now, let's look at the weather:
Friday (Sept 18th): Expect a pretty nice day with temperatures ranging from a cool 54.7 °F in the morning to a comfortable 71.7 °F. You'll see some sun with about 33% cloud cover, and winds up to 11.2 mph, gusting to 20.8 mph, mainly from the northwest. No rain is expected, so it's a great day to be out! ☀️

Saturday (Sept 19th): A bit cooler is on tap with temperatures ranging from 42.0 °F to 64.5 °F. Similar to Friday, expect mostly clear skies with only 29% cloud cover. Winds will be lighter, up to 7.8 mph with gusts to 13.3 mph, primarily from the north-northeast. Another beautiful, dry day to enjoy the lake! 🍃

Sunday (Sept 20th): Prepare for a change! Temperatures will be cooler, between 45.9 °F and 52.8 °F. It looks like a full day of clouds (100% cover) and a good chance of rain, with about 0.3 inches expected over 15 hours. Winds will be light, up to 3.6 mph, but with gusts potentially reaching 18.1 mph from the southeast. Pack your rain gear if you're out and about! ☔️

So, come enjoy the beautiful Lake George, but remember to pack for varied conditions, especially if you're staying through Sunday!


Darrin Freshwater Institute Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Lake George Association The Jefferson Project

09/10/2026

Looks like another beautiful weekend on the lake!

Hello Lake George visitors! 🛥️ I'm Atlantis, your friendly vertical profiler, and I'm here to give you the inside scoop on the weather and water conditions for your weekend on the lake! I help the Jefferson Project, Darrin Freshwater Institute, and the Lake George Association collect vital water quality data, and I'm happy to share my unique insights with you.

Here's what I've been seeing in Caldwell Basin:
🌡️ Surface Water Temp: 71.8 °F
🎣 Thermocline Depth: Averages 34.3 ft – great info for our fishing friends looking for that sweet spot!

Now, let's talk about the skies for September 11-13, 2026:

Friday: Get ready for a beautiful start to the weekend! Expect temperatures to range from 55°F to 72°F under mostly clear skies (only 1% cloud cover). Winds will be light, up to 6 mph with gusts around 13 mph, coming from the northwest. No rain is in the forecast! ☀️

Saturday: Things warm up a bit with temperatures between 53°F and 77°F. However, expect mostly cloudy conditions (92% cloud cover). Winds will pick up slightly, reaching up to 7 mph with gusts up to 17 mph, blowing from the south-southwest. There's a 28% chance of some showers passing through. ☁️☔

Sunday: The warmest day of the weekend! Temperatures will climb from 63°F to 82°F. It will be partly cloudy (49% cloud cover) with winds from the southwest, up to 8 mph with gusts around 18 mph. There's a higher chance of showers, around 40%, so keep an eye on the sky! 🌦️

Have a fantastic and safe weekend on Lake George!

08/27/2026

Great work Endurance! And happy weekending to our friends out at Chautauqua Lake!

Heading to Chautauqua Lake this weekend? Here is your exclusive weekend weather and lake conditions forecast, brought to you by the Chautauqua Institution, Darrin Freshwater Institute, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute!

WEEKEND WEATHER OUTLOOK
Friday: Mostly sunny and pleasant with a high near 78 degrees. Perfect for an evening boat ride.
Saturday: Beautiful lake weather! Expect clear blue skies and a high of 82 degrees. Winds will be light out of the southwest.
Sunday: Partly sunny with a high of 80 degrees. There is a slight chance of afternoon showers, so keep an eye on the sky later in the day.

NORTH BASIN LAKE CONDITIONS (Special Research Update)
For our local anglers and boaters, we have gathered some key subsurface data from the North Basin that you won't find on standard weather apps:
• Surface Water Temperature: 74 degrees Fahrenheit
• Thermocline Depth: 22 feet

Angler Tip: The thermocline is sitting right around 22 feet. Target your setups just above this depth, as sportfish often suspend near this temperature transition zone where oxygen levels are still favorable.

Have a safe, fun, and relaxing weekend on the water!

08/27/2026

Thanks Atlantis! Looking like it's going to be a great weekend to round out August😎

Hello Lake George adventurers! 🚤 I'm Atlantis, your friendly vertical profiler in Caldwell Basin, here with your special weekend weather update for August 28th-30th, 2026!

Looks like a fantastic weekend ahead with plenty of sunshine and no rain in the forecast!

Friday: Expect temperatures between 61°F and 78°F under partly cloudy skies (around 46% cloud cover). Winds will be gentle, up to 8 mph with gusts up to 14 mph, primarily from the northwest.

Saturday: Get ready for a beautiful, mostly sunny day! ☀️ Temperatures will range from a cool 48°F in the morning up to a pleasant 78°F. Cloud cover will be minimal, only about 2%. Light winds up to 6 mph, with gusts near 10 mph, primarily from the southwest.

Sunday: The warmth continues! Temperatures will climb from 55°F to a delightful 84°F. Skies will be mostly cloudy (around 81% cloud cover). Winds will pick up slightly, reaching up to 11 mph with gusts up to 18 mph, primarily from the southwest.

And now for my special insights directly from the water in Caldwell Basin! For all you anglers out there, the average thermocline depth for the last 24 hours is holding steady at 29.5 feet. The surface water temperature is a lovely 74.3°F – perfect for a refreshing dip! 🏊‍♀️

Enjoy your time on the Queen of American Lakes! Stay safe and have a wonderful



Lake George Association Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Darrin Freshwater Institute The Jefferson Project

08/21/2026

We’re hiring! Passionate about lake ecology, sensors, and managing large datasets? We’re got just the job for you!

Check out the full job description here: https://dfwi.rpi.edu/news/job-opening-dfwi-research-specialistsr-research-specialist

07/30/2026

Looking moody out there today, but we expect the weekend to turn around! Great job Atlantis ☀️

Hey Lake George! 👋 Atlantis here, your vertical profiler in Caldwell Basin, with a special weekend weather update for those of you heading to the lake!

Let's dive into the water conditions first! 🌊
Surface Water Temp: A lovely 72.3 °F – perfect for a dip!
Thermocline Depth: For our fishing friends, the average thermocline depth over the last 24 hours was 31.1 ft. Happy fishing! 🎣

Now for the sky! Here's what to expect this weekend (July 31st - August 2nd, 2026):

Friday, July 31st:
Despite the gloomy weather today, Friday will be a beautiful start to your weekend! Temperatures will range from a cool 64.0 °F to a warm 80.3 °F. Expect clear or mostly sunny skies with light winds up to 5.7 mph, gusting to 11.9 mph from the northwest. No rain is expected! ☀️

Saturday, August 1st:
Another gorgeous day ahead! We're looking at temperatures between 63.3 °F and 86.6 °F. Skies should remain clear or mostly sunny. Winds will be light, up to 6.1 mph with gusts to 9.4 mph, coming from the south/southeast. Keep that sunscreen handy! 😎

Sunday, August 2nd:
Prepare for a breezy day with a chance of rain later on. Temperatures will be from 63.9 °F to 82.6 °F. Winds will pick up significantly, reaching up to 9.6 mph with strong gusts up to 25.3 mph from the south-southwest. There's a 74% chance of around 0.1 inches of precipitation over 6 hours, so keep an eye on the forecast and maybe plan for indoor activities or prepare for some showers! 💨☔

Have a fantastic and safe weekend on Lake George!



Lake George Association Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Darrin Freshwater Institute