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

07/23/2026

Thanks, Endurance! We hope everyone at Chautauqua Lake has a great weekend!

Hello Chautauqua Lake friends! Endurance here, your vertical profiler in the Northern Basin. I have been hard at work collecting water quality data to help you plan your perfect weekend.

We have a gorgeous weekend ahead of us! You can look forward to mostly sunny skies with daytime highs in the low 80s and pleasant evening lows in the mid-60s. It is going to be perfect for all your favorite lake activities.

If you are planning to swim, our surface water temperature in the Northern Basin is sitting at a comfortable 74 degrees.

For all the anglers heading out to catch the big one, I have mapped the thermocline depth at approximately 30 feet. Target your lines around this depth for the best chance of finding active fish looking for those cooler waters!

Have a safe and wonderful weekend on the water, everyone!



The Jefferson Project Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

07/23/2026

Looks beautiful out there, Atlantis! What a great weekend to enjoy Lake George😍

Hello from Lake George! It's your favorite vertical profiler, Atlantis, here with your special weekend forecast for July 24-26, 2026! ☀️

Before we get to the air, let's dive into the water! 💧 For those heading out on the lake, especially my angler friends 🎣, I've got some exclusive data from Caldwell Basin that you won't find on a standard forecast:
The average thermocline depth over the last 24 hours is holding steady at 15.2 feet.
Surface water temperature is a lovely 72.2 °F! Perfect for a swim! 🏊‍♀️

Get ready for a beautiful and sunny weekend on Lake George! Expect warm temperatures and light breezes throughout. Looks like ideal conditions for all your lake activities! ⛵

Here's the detailed forecast for the air:

Friday (July 24): Expect temperatures ranging from a cool 60.5 °F up to a warm 83.7 °F. Winds will be light, up to 5.9 mph with gusts around 8.3 mph, primarily from the south. No rain expected, just clear skies!

Saturday (July 25): Continues the trend with temperatures from 55.6 °F to 84.1 °F. Light southerly winds up to 7.8 mph with gusts to 7.4 mph. Another gorgeous day with no precipitation in the forecast!

Sunday (July 26): Rounding out the weekend, Sunday will be warm, with lows around 59.6 °F and highs reaching 84.1 °F. Expect light southerly winds up to 6.5 mph with gusts to 9.8 mph. A very slight chance of a sprinkle, but overall another dry and pleasant day! 😎

Enjoy your fantastic weekend on Lake George! See you next time! 👋


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

07/17/2026

Great shot Atlantis! Hope everyone at Lake George has a great weekend💧☀️

Hi Lake George lovers! Atlantis here with your special weekend forecast for July 17-19, 2026! I've been busy collecting data in Caldwell Basin, and here's what I'm seeing for your trip to the lake:

Current Surface Water Temp: 76.6 °F – perfect for a refreshing dip! ☀️
Thermocline Depth: Holding steady at 29.3 ft – great info for our local fishermen! 🎣

Here’s a look at the weather ahead:

Friday, July 17th: Get ready for a beautiful start to the weekend! Temperatures will range from a cool 60°F up to a warm 84°F. Winds will be light, generally from the northwest at up to 9 mph with occasional gusts. No rain is expected, so enjoy the clear skies!

Saturday, July 18th: Temperatures will be warm, starting around 55°F and climbing to a hot 88°F. However, be prepared for some rain! There's an 88% chance of precipitation, with about 0.2 inches expected over 6 hours. Winds will pick up, coming from the south-southwest at up to 13 mph, with gusts possibly reaching over 30 mph, so keep an eye on the afternoon weather.

Sunday, July 19th: More rain is likely on Sunday, with an 88% chance of about 0.4 inches expected over 2 hours. Temperatures will be cooler, ranging from 58°F to 76°F. Winds will be stronger, up to 15 mph with gusts near 28 mph from the northwest. Keep an eye on the forecast for updated timing of the rain.

Stay safe and enjoy your time on beautiful Lake George!

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

07/17/2026

Thanks Endurance! Looked pretty gloomy yesterday, hoping the weekend weather turns around for our folks out at Chautauqua!

Hello Chautauqua Lake friends! 🌊

It is Endurance here, your friendly neighborhood vertical profiler! I have been busy collecting water quality data in the Northern Basin for the Darrin Freshwater Institute and the Chautauqua Institution to help you plan your perfect weekend.

If you are heading up to the lake, you are in for a real treat! We have some beautiful weekend weather lined up with plenty of sunshine and daytime highs reaching a gorgeous 82°F. It is going to be a spectacular couple of days to get out on the water. ☀️⛵

Since you cannot find this on your standard weather app, here is your exclusive, insider lake update straight from my sensors:

🌡️ Surface Water Temperature: A refreshing 73°F—absolutely perfect for swimming, tubing, and splashing around!

🎣 Thermocline Depth: Attention anglers! The thermocline is currently sitting right around 18 feet. If you are hunting for those species that love the cool, oxygen-rich sweet spot, that is your target depth for the weekend. 🐟

Whether you are casting a line, sailing, or just relaxing by the shore, have a safe and wonderful weekend on Chautauqua Lake!


Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Darrin Freshwater Institute

07/09/2026

Nice shot Endurance! Hope everyone at Chautauqua Lake has a great weekend. 🥳

Weekend update from Endurance! 🌊

If you're planning a trip to the Northern Basin of Chautauqua Lake this weekend, we've got you covered with the latest data to help you make the most of your time on the water. Whether you're an avid angler, a nature enthusiast, or just looking to soak up some sun, we've got the inside scoop to ensure a fantastic and safe weekend out on the lake! 🎣☀️

Here are the latest stats to inform your adventure:

Surface Temp: 74°F - perfect for a refreshing swim or a day of water sports! Thermocline Depth: 12 feet - a great depth for spotting fish and other aquatic life.

Take a moment to appreciate the beauty of Chautauqua Lake and the surrounding landscape, and don't forget to share your experiences with us! Wishing everyone a fantastic and safe weekend out on the lake! 🎣☀️


Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Darrin Freshwater Institute