Upper Peninsula Weather & Seasons

The Great Lakes keep the U.P. climate temperate

We joke in Michigan — especially in the Upper Peninsula — that if you wait five minutes, the weather will change. While our U.P. city of Houghton ranks third in the nation for unpredictable weather and its average annual snowfall tops the charts for the state (202 inches), we are rarely surprised by what our weather and precipitation will be each day. Being surrounded by three Great Lakes helps to temper the weather in the U.P., so we rarely have long stretches of extremely cold, extremely hot or extremely stormy days. You can comfortably go outside and play for hours (which you will want to do) during all four seasons. 

The weather DOES vary across the U.P. on any given day 

As you cross the U.P., it can be cool and sunny in St. Ignace, humid and foggy on Drummond Island, raining hard in Copper Harbor and steamy hot in Menominee. Pack clothes and outerwear you can wear in layers and remove easily. As absurd as it may seem in the summer months, bring gloves and a hat just in case. Check forecasts and hour-by-hour weather predictions using the Dark Sky or AccuWeather apps or the Weather Channel.

The warmest months to visit the Upper Peninsula

If you are looking to wear a short-sleeve shirt during the day and a light jacket at night, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data says the best time to visit the U.P. is May 28 to September 9. The hottest months are July, August and then June. In mid-July, expect highs around 78.4°F (25.8°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 57°F at night.

Average U.P. temperatures by month (Fahrenheit)

Data from www.championtraveler.com/dates/best-time-to-visit-upper-peninsula-mi-us

Month

Avg. High (°F)

Avg. Mean (°F)

Avg. Low (°F)

Jan

22.6

15.3

8.5

Feb

23.8

15.5

7.6

Mar

36.8

27.1

18.6

Apr

48

38

29.1

May

63.2

51.5

40.8

Jun

71.4

60.7

50.5

Jul

77.2

66

55.5

Aug

75.6

64.7

54.6

Sep

67.7

56.7

47.2

Oct

53.4

44.8

37.7

Nov

40

32.8

26.5

Dec

27.1

21

14.8

Your year-round outdoor adventure destination

Data from www.championtraveler.com/dates/best-time-to-visit-upper-peninsula-mi-us

Spring | March-May | Avg. Temperatures: High of 70°F; Low of 24.8°F | Snow can linger until mid-April, making this typically our shortest season. Watching the wilderness awaken from winter’s chill is serene.

Summer | June-August | Avg. Temperatures: High of 75°F; Low of 57°F | This is the time of year to jump in the lake. With 4,300 inland lakes and three Great Lakes to choose from, you are never far from refreshing freshwater to swim, boat, scuba dive and fish in.

Fall | September to November | Avg. Temperatures: High of 70.9°F; Low of 31.9°F | Hike, bike, motorcycle twisty turns, and seek out what many claim is the best place to see fall colors in the U.S.A. We agree!

Winter | December to February | Avg. Temperatures: High of 28.3°F; Low of - 20.2°F | As tempting as the couch is this time of year, go outside and play. The air is crisp and the snow sparkles like diamonds as you snowmobile, ski, snowshoe, fat tire bike, dog sled or ice climb.