Water temperatures across the Great Lakes and Michigan's inland waters will make swimming a tempting option this weekend, but rain could stop some of the outdoor fun.
Temperatures climb in the spring and summer months, reaching peak temperatures in the late summer and early fall, according to GLISA, a collaborative between Michigan State University, University of Michigan and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
.Lake Erie is the warmest of the Great Lakes, with temperatures in the mid 70s. Lake Superior temperatures range in the 60s and 70s.
Michigan's inland lakes were even warmer in most cases. Bear Lake in west Michigan reached 79 degrees on July 31. Cadillac Lake, also in west Michigan was 75 degrees.
While the lakes will be
inviting, rain is forecast Friday night, July 31, and Saturday, Aug. 1, across much of Michigan.
"Few showers and a rumble of thunder are possible this afternoon, but become more numerous this evening into tonight with showers continuing through much of Saturday. Improving conditions expected Sunday with increasing sun," the Gaylord National Weather Servicesaid on X on July 31.
The Detroit NWS office said to expect a wet weekend ahead.Showers and possible storms are expected throughout Saturday and Sunday.
Most of Michigan's major inland lakes also are seeing temperatures in the 70s.
Here are temperatures for Michigan's lakes as of Friday, July 31.
Which inland lakes in Michigan are warmest?
According to Seatemperatures, here are the current temperatures for some of Michigan's most popular inland lakes:
- Bear Lake: 79 degrees
- Duck Lake: 77 degrees
- Lake Gogebic: 76 degrees
- Lake Leelanau: 75 degrees
- Walloon Lake: 75 degrees
- Lake Cadillac: 75 degrees
- Hubbard Lake: 75 degrees
- Black Lake: 75 degrees
- Lake Hudson: 74 degrees
- Crystal Lake: 74 degrees
- Platte Lake: 74 degrees
- Mullett Lake: 74 degrees
- Indian Lake: 74 degrees
- Higgins Lake: 73 degrees
- Elk Lake: 73 degrees
- Lake Mitchell: 72 degrees
- South Manistique Lake: 72 degrees
- Torch Lake: 71.2 degrees
- Burt Lake: 71 degrees
- Lake Charlevoix: 70.2 degrees
- Houghton Lake: 70 degrees
- Portage Lake: 69 degrees
- Lake Michigamme: 67 degrees
- Lake St. Helen: 66 degrees
- Manistique Lake: 63.5 degrees
How warm is Lake Erie?
Lake Erie, the shallowest of the Great Lakes, reached 78.1 degrees near Monroe, Michigan.
Lake Erie reaches an average of 76.1 degrees Fahrenheit in August.
Current temperatures for Lake Erie:
- Gibralter, Michigan: 74.8 degrees
- Grosse Ile, Michigan: 74.1 degrees
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What's the temperature of Lake Huron?
The warmest water temperature in Lake Huron was 75.6 degrees near Caseville, Michigan.
Lake Huron reaches an average of 66 degrees Fahrenheit in August.
Current temperatures near Michigan cities on Lake Huron:
- Saginaw Bay: 74.8 degrees
- Au Gres: 73.2 degrees
- Port Sanilac: 70.2 degrees
- Port Crescent: 71.6 degrees
- Port Huron: 70.7 degrees
- Tawas City: 69.1 degrees
- Alpena: 68.9 degrees
- Mackinac Island: 66.4 degrees
- Drummond Island: 65.5 degrees
“The lake measures 206 miles across and 183 miles north to south, with an average depth of 195 feet (approximately 750 feet, maximum)," according to the Great Lakes Commission.
What's the temperature of Lake Ontario?
The warmest water temperature in Lake Ontario near Dexter, New York was 74.5 degrees.
Lake Ontario reaches an average of 72.9 degrees Fahrenheit in August.
Current temperatures for Lake Ontario:
- Kingston, Canada: 71.4 degrees
- Niagara Falls, Canada: 68.7 degrees
- Hamilton, Canada: 62.6 degrees
"Lake Ontario is similar to Lake Erie in length and breadth (193 miles by 53 miles). Yet with its greater average depth (approximately 283 feet), Lake Ontario holds almost four times the volume and has a retention time of about 6 years," according to the Great Lakes Commission.
How warm is Lake Michigan?
Lake Michigan's warmest water temperature was 70.2 degrees.
Lake Michigan reaches an average of 68.5 degrees Fahrenheit in August.
Recorded temperatures near Michigan cities on Lake Michigan:
- St. Joseph: 70.5 degrees
- Grand Haven: 70.5 degrees
- Benton Harbor: 70.3 degrees
- Charlevoix: 70.2 degrees
- Traverse City: 68.9 degrees
- Mackinaw City: 68.7 degrees
- Escanaba: 68.4 degrees
- Holland: 68 degrees
- Manistee: 67.1 degrees
- Ludington: 65.3 degrees
- Saugatuck: 65.1 degrees
- Hoffmaster State Park: 65.1 degrees
- Pentwater: 61.7 degrees
"Averaging 279 feet in depth, the lake reaches 925 feet at its deepest point," according to the Great Lakes Commission.
What's the temperature of Lake Superior?
Lake Superior's warmest water temperature was of 70.7 degrees near Ashland, Wisconsin.
Lake Superior reaches an average of 64.6 degrees Fahrenheit in August.
Current temperatures for Michigan towns on Lake Superior:
- Marquette: 65.8 degrees
- Sault Ste. Marie: 64.9 degrees
- Ontonagon: 63.3 degrees
- Grand Marais: 61.3 degrees
- Copper Harbor: 56.8 degrees
"With an average depth approaching 500 feet, Superior also is the coldest and deepest (1,332 feet) of the Great Lakes. The lake stretches approximately 350 miles from west to east, and 160 miles north to south, with a shoreline almost 2,800 miles long," according to the Great Lakes Commission.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan's lakes will be warm and tempting. Weather may be spoiler
