Our verdict
The best time to visit Traverse City is September-October
In summer, temperatures can reach as high as 26℃ (79℉) in the middle of the day. The average low temperatures in winter float around -8℃ (18℉), while the coldest it gets down to is about -10℃ (13℉).
The days are longest in Traverse City in July, so if you want to see the sights during the day when the sun is up for the longest time, it’s best to visit around that time of year. The wet season in Traverse City usually falls during the months surrounding May each year. It’s not uncommon to get some decent rainfall or light showers during this time, but on some days the weather tends to be fine for a majority of the day, with only a few drops of rain falling from a passing shower.
Keep reading to find out more detailed information about the seasons and climate in Traverse City, as well as our favourite tools to help you find the best options for transport, accommodation, and much more.
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Traverse City seasons
Before you continue, it’s important to know when the seasons are in Traverse City as they might be different to yours depending on where in the world you’re travelling from. Traverse City is in the Northern Hemisphere, so the seasons fall during these months:
| Season | Months |
|---|---|
| Summer | June to August |
| Autumn/fall | September to November |
| Winter | December to February |
| Spring | March to May |
Average temperatures in Traverse City
If the temperature is a big factor for you to help you decide when to visit, the chart below shows the average minimum and maximum temperatures in Traverse City for each month side-by-side so you can easily see the difference in weather throughout the year. To see the temperatures in both Celsius (°C) and Fahrenheit (°F), hover or tap the shaded boxes on the graph.
Traverse City climate by month
If you already have a rough idea about which months you might want to travel, the section below shows a detailed breakdown of the climate in Traverse City for each month so you can see if it all suits your wants and needs. Scroll down, or use the quick menu below to jump to your preferred month.
Jump to:
Traverse City in January
- Average temperature: -6℃ (22℉)
- Average high temperature: -4℃ (26℉)
- Average low temperature: -8℃ (18℉)
- Average humidity: 87%
- Average sunny days: 16 days
- Average rainfall: 13mm (1") over 3 days
- Average snow days: 16 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Traverse City in January, make sure you pack a thick snow/winter jacket, thermals and some extra layers as it's always very cold.
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Traverse City in February
- Average temperature: -5℃ (23℉)
- Average high temperature: -3℃ (27℉)
- Average low temperature: -8℃ (18℉)
- Average humidity: 86%
- Average sunny days: 15 days
- Average rainfall: 12mm (0") over 2 days
- Average snow days: 14 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Traverse City in February, make sure you pack a thick snow/winter jacket, thermals and some extra layers as it's always very cold.
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Traverse City in March
- Average temperature: -1℃ (31℉)
- Average high temperature: 2℃ (36℉)
- Average low temperature: -4℃ (25℉)
- Average humidity: 82%
- Average sunny days: 19 days
- Average rainfall: 14mm (1") over 7 days
- Average snow days: 8 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Traverse City in March, make sure you pack a thick snow/winter jacket, thermals and some extra layers as it's always very cold.
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Traverse City in April
- Average temperature: 5℃ (40℉)
- Average high temperature: 8℃ (46℉)
- Average low temperature: 1℃ (34℉)
- Average humidity: 77%
- Average sunny days: 15 days
- Average rainfall: 20mm (1") over 11 days
- Average snow days: 4 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Traverse City in April, make sure you pack a thick snow/winter jacket, thermals and some extra layers as it's always very cold.
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Traverse City in May
- Average temperature: 11℃ (52℉)
- Average high temperature: 15℃ (58℉)
- Average low temperature: 7℃ (44℉)
- Average humidity: 77%
- Average sunny days: 16 days
- Average rainfall: 25mm (1") over 12 days
- Average snow days: 1 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Traverse City in May, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.
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Traverse City in June
- Average temperature: 15℃ (59℉)
- Average high temperature: 18℃ (65℉)
- Average low temperature: 11℃ (51℉)
- Average humidity: 82%
- Average sunny days: 16 days
- Average rainfall: 15mm (1") over 10 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Traverse City in June, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.
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Traverse City in July
- Average temperature: 19℃ (66℉)
- Average high temperature: 22℃ (72℉)
- Average low temperature: 15℃ (59℉)
- Average humidity: 81%
- Average sunny days: 17 days
- Average rainfall: 17mm (1") over 10 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Traverse City in July, make sure you pack a light jumper or hoodie for the evenings and some light clothes for the daytime.
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Traverse City in August
- Average temperature: 19℃ (66℉)
- Average high temperature: 23℃ (73℉)
- Average low temperature: 15℃ (60℉)
- Average humidity: 79%
- Average sunny days: 16 days
- Average rainfall: 12mm (0") over 9 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Traverse City in August, make sure you pack a light jumper or hoodie for the evenings and some light clothes for the daytime.
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Traverse City in September
- Average temperature: 16℃ (60℉)
- Average high temperature: 20℃ (67℉)
- Average low temperature: 12℃ (54℉)
- Average humidity: 78%
- Average sunny days: 18 days
- Average rainfall: 13mm (1") over 9 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Traverse City in September, make sure you pack a light jumper or hoodie.
Traverse City in October
- Average temperature: 10℃ (50℉)
- Average high temperature: 12℃ (54℉)
- Average low temperature: 7℃ (45℉)
- Average humidity: 78%
- Average sunny days: 16 days
- Average rainfall: 23mm (1") over 11 days
- Average snow days: 1 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Traverse City in October, make sure you pack a warm jacket or coat.
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Traverse City in November
- Average temperature: 3℃ (38℉)
- Average high temperature: 6℃ (42℉)
- Average low temperature: 1℃ (34℉)
- Average humidity: 79%
- Average sunny days: 18 days
- Average rainfall: 18mm (1") over 5 days
- Average snow days: 8 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Traverse City in November, make sure you pack a thick snow/winter jacket, thermals and some extra layers as it's always very cold.
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Traverse City in December
- Average temperature: -2℃ (29℉)
- Average high temperature: -0℃ (32℉)
- Average low temperature: -4℃ (25℉)
- Average humidity: 85%
- Average sunny days: 16 days
- Average rainfall: 17mm (1") over 4 days
- Average snow days: 12 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Traverse City in December, make sure you pack a thick snow/winter jacket, thermals and some extra layers as it's always very cold.
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