The National Weather Service (NWS) announced it has begun transitioning its online maps, forecasts, warnings, and public statements to reflect “Lake America” in place of Lake Ontario for domestic products.
- Background: The change stems from Executive Order 14422, signed by President Donald Trump in late August 2026, directing U.S. federal agencies to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America”. Following the order, the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) updated its official federal database.
- Implementation: The NWS stated the transition across its digital products, regional weather offices, marine forecasts, and mapping services will happen in phases to ensure operational safety and avoid disruptions to active weather alerts.
- Broader Adoption & Pushback: Tech companies like Google and Apple have updated their mapping services to show “Lake America” for U.S.-based users, while map users in Canada still see “Lake Ontario”. The change has drawn significant pushback from Canadian officials, local New York leaders, and several U.S. lawmakers.
(Visited 9 times, 1 visits today)