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Best time to visit · Michigan, United States
For the most comfortable weather in Sleeping Bear Dunes, aim for September. September tops our comfort score at 81/100, with highs around 65°F (18°C) and 3.4 in (87 mm) of rain. June – August are good shoulder-season months. The toughest months are April and December & January, mainly because of cool days.
Highs run from 29°F to 69°F across the year, and the yearly total is about 34.0 in (863 mm) of rain and snow.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg high | 30°F-1°C | 29°F-2°C | 34°F1°C | 41°F5°C | 47°F9°C | 56°F14°C | 67°F20°C | 69°F21°C | 65°F18°C | 54°F12°C | 44°F7°C | 35°F2°C |
| Avg low | 24°F-4°C | 23°F-5°C | 28°F-2°C | 35°F2°C | 41°F5°C | 51°F11°C | 63°F17°C | 65°F19°C | 60°F16°C | 49°F9°C | 38°F4°C | 30°F-1°C |
| Rain/snow | 1.9 in47 mm | 1.6 in41 mm | 2.1 in53 mm | 3.2 in81 mm | 3.5 in88 mm | 3.2 in82 mm | 2.7 in68 mm | 3.0 in77 mm | 3.4 in87 mm | 4.2 in107 mm | 2.7 in68 mm | 2.5 in64 mm |
| Humidity | 86% | 84% | 83% | 82% | 86% | 88% | 84% | 81% | 79% | 79% | 81% | 84% |
| Cloud | 84% | 79% | 79% | 88% | 88% | 84% | 81% | 79% | 71% | 76% | 79% | 84% |
| Comfort | 41 | 44 | 42 | 36 | 46 | 64 | 69 | 71 | 81 | 59 | 46 | 39 |
Source: NASA POWER (public domain), 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km satellite and reanalysis grid, so coasts and valleys can differ from what's shown. The grid cell sits at about 180 m (591 ft), close to Sleeping Bear Dunes's own ~238 m. Precipitation includes snow as melted water; daylight is calculated from latitude. Check a forecast before you go.
The coldest season, with highs of 29–35°F (-2–2°C) and lows down to 23°F (-5°C). It's the driest season, with only about 6.0 in (152 mm) of rain or snow, 18% of the year's total. January & February are cold enough for snow. It holds the toughest stretch on our comfort score (December & January), averaging 41/100.
Temperatures climb through the season, from 34°F highs in March to 47°F by May. About 8.7 in (222 mm) of rain or snow falls across these months, 26% of the year's total. March is cold enough for snow. Comfort scores bottom out in April; the season averages 41/100.
The warmest stretch of the year, with highs of 56–69°F (14–21°C). About 8.9 in (227 mm) of rain falls across these months, 26% of the year's total. Lows bottom out around 51°F (11°C). June – August score well without being the very best (season average 68/100).
Temperatures slide from 65°F highs in September to 44°F by November. It's the wettest season, with about 10.3 in (262 mm) of rain, 30% of the year's total. Lows bottom out around 38°F (4°C). September is among the best-scoring months (season average 62/100).
By comfort score: 1 Great, 3 Good, 3 Fair and 5 Tough. Great months: September. Tap a month for its own guide.
For the most comfortable weather in Sleeping Bear Dunes, aim for September. September tops our comfort score at 81/100, with highs around 65°F (18°C) and 3.4 in (87 mm) of rain. June – August are good shoulder-season months. The toughest months are April and December & January, mainly because of cool days.
October is the wettest month, averaging about 4.2 in (107 mm) of rain. February is the driest, with about 1.6 in (41 mm). The yearly total is around 34.0 in (863 mm).
February is the coldest, with average lows of 23°F (-5°C) and highs of 29°F (-2°C). The warmest is August, with average highs of 69°F (21°C).
Not very: summer (June – August) humidity averages 84%, and highs peak around 69°F (21°C), so it rarely feels sticky.
On average, yes: lows fall below 32°F (0°C) in December – March, bottoming out around 23°F (-5°C) in February.
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