AccuWeather adopts ‘Lake America’ name in forecasts but will honor clients’ preferences

AccuWeather says it will begin referring to Lake Ontario as “Lake America,” following the federal government’s adoption of the new name and a similar change underway at the National Weather Service — but will also follow its clients’ preferences for the label.

AccuWeather meteorologist Nick Arman told Newsweek the private forecasting company would follow naming standards established by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

“We at AccuWeather will be using Lake America per the standards recently set by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names,” Arman said.

In a separate statement to NCS, AccuWeather added that the change will be applied for users in the U.S. and “based on our customers’ preference.”

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AccuWeather, which provides a wide range of weather services to a variety of industries, including broadcast television and digital media clients. This includes an array of local TV stations and networks, including a deal with MS NOW.

The company also works with both ABC- and Fox-owned stations, including WABC in New York, KABC in Los Angeles, WLS in Chicago and WPVI in Philadelphia. The company also powers an automated 24-hour weather channel that stations can carry on digital subchannels as well as direct-to-consumer offerings. 

The AccuWeather name is also common in print media and various websites.

AccuWeather’s “Lake of America” move comes as the National Weather Service updates its maps, forecasts, websites and other products to reflect the federal name change.

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In a public information statement issued Sept. 14, 2026, the NWS said it was implementing Executive Order 14422 and that users should expect the change to appear gradually across its services. The agency said it would take precautions to avoid disrupting weather operations during the transition.

Donald Trump signed the executive order Aug. 27, 2026, directing the secretary of the interior and U.S. Board on Geographic Names to rename Lake Ontario as Lake America for federal use. The order also directs the Geographic Names Information System to be updated and calls for federal agencies to use the new name in maps, documents and communications.

The order cites the lake’s role in U.S. exploration, commerce and defense, along with American investment in the Great Lakes and Coast Guard operations, as reasons for the change.