Weather in Traverse City

Planning a trip or a walk around Traverse City? In this section, you will find the latest weather information, including detailed forecasts and clear charts to help you plan your day in the best possible way.

Traverse City, located in the United States, features a continental climate characterised by four distinct seasons. This means that travellers can expect significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year, making each season unique for a visit.

Winters in Traverse City are quite cold, with average temperatures significantly below freezing, especially in January and February, and frequent precipitation that is likely to fall as snow. Spring arrives gradually with rising temperatures, though the weather remains cool in March and April. Summer, by contrast, is warm and pleasant, particularly in July and August, when average temperatures reach a comfortable 20-21°C, and the number of rainy days is minimal. Autumn brings a gradual cooling, with beautiful landscapes and moderate temperatures in September and October, before winter takes hold again.

Precipitation in Traverse City is distributed relatively evenly throughout the year, without a clearly defined rainy season. However, the number of days with precipitation is higher during the winter months and in October-November, which is worth considering when planning a trip. Overall, the climate offers diverse weather conditions, allowing you to choose the most suitable time to visit depending on your preferred activities.

Traverse City experiences significant annual temperature variations typical of its climate. The coldest months are January and February, when the average temperature drops to -3.4°C and -3.5°C respectively. During these months, minimum temperatures can reach -5.5°C in January and even -6.4°C in February, while daily highs rarely rise above -0.5°C. In contrast, the peak of warmth occurs in July and August. In July, the average temperature is a comfortable 20.8°C, with daily highs up to 24.1°C and nightly lows around 17.5°C. August is almost as warm, with an average temperature of 20.7°C and maximum values up to 23.8°C.

The summer months in Traverse City, from June to August, offer pleasant warmth, ideal for outdoor activities and enjoying nature. June begins the summer season with an average temperature of 17.2°C (minimum 13.4°C, maximum 21.0°C), gradually warming up towards July and August, when the thermometer consistently stays above 20°C. Daytime temperatures in summer usually range from 21°C to 24°C, creating comfortable conditions. Nights remain mild, with temperatures ranging from 13.4°C at the beginning of summer to 17.5°C at its peak. The difference between day and night temperatures in summer is approximately 6-7°C, providing a pleasant cool-down after a warm day.

Winter in Traverse City, covering December, January, and February, is characterised by steady freezing weather. Average monthly temperatures during this period are below zero: -0.3°C in December, dropping to -3.4°C in January and -3.5°C in February. Daily highs often remain around or below the freezing point, especially in January (average -1.4°C) and February (average -0.5°C). Night temperatures regularly drop significantly below zero, reaching -5.5°C in January and -6.4°C in February, indicating true winter cold. Daily temperature fluctuations in winter are less pronounced than in summer, amounting to about 4-5°C, but the overall cold environment requires appropriate warm clothing for comfortable outdoor stays.

In Traverse City, precipitation is observed throughout the year, and there is no sharply defined rainy season or dry period if judged by the total amount in millimetres. Monthly precipitation volume is quite stable, fluctuating mainly between 2 and 3 mm, with a peak of 4 mm in October. However, the frequency of precipitation varies noticeably depending on the season, which significantly affects the character of the weather.

The winter months, especially January, are characterised by the highest number of days with precipitation. January sees an average of 17 days with precipitation (2 mm), which, given the average temperature of -3.4°C, falls predominantly as snow. December is also quite snowy, with 16 days of precipitation (3 mm), as is February (13 days, 2 mm). In March (13 days, 2 mm), as temperatures begin to rise, both snowfalls and rain are possible.

The summer months – June, July, and August – are the period with the lowest frequency of precipitation. Each of these months records an average of only about 10 rainy days, with total precipitation amounting to 3 mm. This suggests that summer rains are likely to be short-lived, though not necessarily light. In spring, in April (14 days, 3 mm) and May (11 days, 3 mm), precipitation falls as rain, gradually decreasing in frequency towards summer.

In autumn, the frequency of precipitation increases again. September, with 10 rainy days (3 mm), still resembles summer in terms of frequency. However, October stands out as the month with the highest average rainfall (4 mm) and a significant number of wet days – about 16 days. In November (15 days, 3 mm), a high probability of precipitation also remains, and as winter approaches, rain may gradually turn into sleet or snow.

When planning a trip to Traverse City, it is important to consider significant seasonal weather fluctuations. The key principle when packing should be layering – this will allow you to easily adapt to temperature changes throughout the day. Regardless of the season, comfortable walking shoes are an absolute necessity, as the city and its surroundings are perfect for walking. Also, do not forget a power adapter for electrical appliances if your devices have a different plug.

For a visit during the cold months, from December to March, as well as late autumn (October-November), pack warm clothing. This includes a winter jacket (preferably windproof and waterproof), sweaters or fleece jumpers, thermal underwear, warm trousers, a hat, gloves, and a scarf. Given the large number of days with precipitation in winter, which often falls as snow, waterproof footwear will be very handy. In early spring (April) and late autumn, the weather can be changeable, so layering is especially important – a light jacket over a sweater will allow you to feel comfortable.

The summer months (June-August) and early autumn (September) in Traverse City will delight you with warm weather. You will need light items: T-shirts, shorts, dresses, sandals. However, evenings can be cool, so it is worth taking a light jacket, cardigan, or sweater. Despite the lower number of rainy days in summer, a light raincoat or umbrella may still be useful for short-term showers. Do not forget sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for sun protection, especially if you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors. For transition seasons, such as May and October, when precipitation is more likely, a compact umbrella or waterproof jacket will be very useful.