Mackinac Island’s weather is pretty straightforward and season-dependent. The island has cool, pleasant summers and proper, snowy winters. During the tourist season, the island’s temperatures remain at consistently delightful levels, with a refreshing evening breeze to brush off the weariness of daytime activities.
However, no matter how predictable the Mackinac Island weather might be, don’t let it catch you by surprise. Weather is, after all, only as stable as Mother Nature decides, and the unexpected can always occur. To help you be prepared for anything, we’ve laid out the basic whimsies of Mackinac Island’s weather and paired them with must-pack items for your trip. Add the Mackinac Island App to your bag and you’ll be ready to explore the island at your own pace with nothing stopping you.
The Mackinac Island Weather in a Nutshell
The average temperatures on Mackinac Island range from 20°F in January and February, which are usually the coldest months, to 66°F from July to August, which are considered the “hottest” ones. Hot is kind of an overstatement, for sure, but it’s just the right temperature for outdoor activities.
From May to October, during the official tourist season, you can expect temperatures as low as 42°F and as high as 74°F. As you can see, the Mackinac Island weather will treat you kindly during the summer and help you escape the dreaded heat of the cities.
In terms of precipitation, Mackinac Island falls beneath the US yearly average with just 30 inches of rain versus 38 inches. However, the island makes up for this during the winter months, when an average of 89 inches of snow are expected, in contrast with the US average of 28 inches. The rainiest months are July, August and September, but don’t worry, the rain showers are scarce and will not hinder your getaway.
Summers on Mackinac Island
The Mackinac Island weather during summer is a blessing for those looking to escape the melting heat of big cities. In fact, summers are the reasons why, back in the day, the island became America’s favorite getaway.
With just-right temperatures that never budge over 74°F, discovering the island by foot is an utter pleasure. You’ll never feel the need to retreat to your hotel room and frantically search for the AC remote control. Actually, as the evenings effortlessly unfold over the island, the lower temperatures might even encourage you to put on a light jacket.
While there’s no clear surge in rain showers on Mackinac Island, August and September are slightly wetter than the other months of the year. But don’t worry. This only means that the chance of getting caught in the rain increases from very low to slightly higher. In fact, a light drizzle of rain might just be the perfect addition to a chill Mackinac evening by the lake.
What to Pack for Summer
T-shirts and shorts should definitely be a staple of your Mackinac Island luggage. This is what the summer weather will have you wear most of the time. But don’t overpack or go overboard with the summer clothes. Since the evenings are guaranteed to give you chills, and not only scenery-induced ones, don’t forget to add some long-sleeved blouses and trousers. Another must-have item is a light jacket. If you can pack one that’s water and wind-resistant, even better!
If you’re lucky enough to stay at the Grand Hotel, then you should pack some special items. Dinners here are always a special event and require a carefully considered outfit. Ladies are expected to change out of their daytime casualwear and into their dresses, skirts, blouses, dress sweaters or dress slacks after 6:30pm. In the same manner, gentlemen are required to wear a suit jacket, necktie and dress pants.
It’s also a good idea to think about what other items might come in handy considering the activities you have in plan. That being said, you should also make room in your luggage for your bathing suit, bikewear, hat and sunglasses. If you want to engage in more active experiences, such as biking or hiking (you definitely should), don’t forget to pack some comfortable clothes, bike gloves and even your hiking shoes. You’ll definitely want to explore Mackinac Island as much as you can.
Some extra items that are good to have on hand are sunscreen (mandatory, in fact) and insect repellent. With that, you’ll be good to go!
Winters on Mackinac Island
From December to March, the Mackinac Island weather takes a sharp downward slope towards freezing temperatures. That metaphor is not a coincidence since the quantities of snow are more than sufficient to make some awesome slopes. Yes, Mackinac Island winters are full of snow and fun sports for those who dare to face the cold weather.
However, note that during winter, the winds are stronger than usual. This cause a further drop in the already sub-zero temperatures. Besides, the snowfall can be quite impressive and, most of the time, the roads will only be traversable by snowmobile.
Getting to the island off-season is not easy either, but it’s also not impossible. In fact, we’ve prepared some useful tips on what means of transport to choose depending on the time of year you visit. We encourage you to go through them. They’re a good start.
What to pack for winter
If you’re planning a winter getaway on Mackinac Island, we hope that you’re also planning on bringing a big suitcase. You’re going to need all the warm clothes you can pack. Be sure to take your winter jacket, gloves, boots (bring an extra pair), a warm hat, a scarf, and lots and lots of sweaters plus waterproof trousers. If you’re also keen on bringing your own sports equipment, make that two bags instead of one.
Ready to pack your bags?
Now that Mackinac Island weather is no longer a mystery, you can start packing. Oh, one extra thing that will definitely make your trip worthwhile: the Mackinac Island App. Its six self-guided audio tours will take you to some of the most beautiful spots on the island. What’s more, the tours will unravel juicy details that will add flavor to your island experience. Download it from Google Play or the App Store and your luggage will be complete! See you on Mackinac Island.
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