What is the best month to swim in Lake Michigan?


What is the best month to swim in Lake Michigan? Lake Michigan sees its warmest water temperatures typically from late-June through mid-September. It's not uncommon to have surface water temperatures in the 70s and sometimes even low 80s along the West Michigan lakeshore in that same time frame.


Can you swim in Lake Michigan in winter?

Those who brave the frigid feat and swim in the winter are nicknamed “ice monsters.” Lake Michigan continuously cools throughout winter, and with March averaging an annual low of 32.9 degrees, it's the chilliest month for open-water swimming. Yet a growing number of people are taking the plunge.


Is Lake Michigan OK to swim in?

Lake Michigan is generally clean and safe for swimming but it can become contaminated with harmful bacteria.


What months is Lake Michigan warmest?

The time of year with warmer water lasts for 2.7 months, from July 5 to September 26, with an average temperature above 65°F. The month of the year in Lake Michigan Beach with the warmest water is August, with an average temperature of 72°F.


What month does Lake Michigan freeze?

Nevertheless, the Great Lakes typically begin to freeze at the end of December heading into January. Their peak freeze occurs in late February and early March. The Great Lakes average an ice coverage of 55%, meaning that at least half of the lakes' surface areas are bound to freeze during the winter months.


Where is the warmest water in Lake Michigan?

If you're ready to play in Lake Michigan, know that water temperatures can vary quite a bit along a stretch of coastline. In West Michigan, the beach near Duck Lake State Park in Muskegon County is warmest spot. The water temperature there is a balmy 70 degrees.


Should you shower after swimming in Lake Michigan?

Should you shower after swimming in Lake Michigan? Take a shower: Bathe yourself after swimming in a lake in order to maintain hygiene and stay clean. If bacteria has not entered your body, it may be actively resting on your skin, creating a rash or finding an open cut to infect.


Why is Lake Michigan water so cold?

A north-northeast wind has pushed the warmer surface water along the Michigan shore back toward the middle of Lake Michigan and brought up colder water from well beneath the surface. This process is called upwelling.


What temperature is good for swimming Lake Michigan?

The National Centers for Environmental Information and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says that 70 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit is the range where most folks feel 'comfortable' swimming.


Where is the best place to swim on Lake Michigan?

12 Best Lake Michigan Beaches With White Sand, Rolling Dunes, and Stunning Views
  • Petoskey State Park, Petoskey, Michigan.
  • North Beach, Racine, Wisconsin.
  • Warren Dunes State Park, Sawyer, Michigan.
  • Holland State Park, Holland, Michigan.
  • Silver Beach County Park, St. ...
  • Rosewood Beach, Highland Park, Illinois.


What month can you swim in Lake Michigan?

Lake Michigan water temperatures Lake Michigan sees its warmest water temperatures typically from late-June through mid-September. It's not uncommon to have surface water temperatures in the 70s and sometimes even low 80s along the West Michigan lakeshore in that same time frame.


Which months are not recommended for swimming in the beach Why?

July is when disease outbreaks most likely to occur in lakes and oceans.


Which side of Lake Michigan is warmer?

According to Leinbach, Michigan's shores simply have science on their side. The winds generally go from west to east in this country, and that means that the warm water in the summer gets pushed to the Michigan side of the lake, he explained. So the water is warmer for swimming and playing and things like that.