Frigid temperatures this weekend prompt cold weather advisories

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record cold July water temperatures on Lake Superior

You may recall water temperatures were still hovering in the upper 30s along the North Shore of Lake Superior in late July. 

You could see the ribbon of blue (frigid water) that hugged the shore late last month.

Jay Austin from the University of Minnesota Large Lakes Observatory at the University of Minnesota Duluth wrote this last month. 

Warming the big lake has been a slow process this year. Jay reports that it took Lake Superior 3 months to warm 5 degrees from 33 to 39F, then only 3 weeks to warm 16 degrees from 39 to 55F.

Fast-forward to late August. Water temperatures along the North Shore have warmed into the 60s to around 70 degrees in some areas. That’s still brisk for a swim, but water temperatures are now closer to the average peak summer temperatures in the mid to upper 60s.

Overall water temperatures on Superior are mostly in the 60s this week.

That’s pretty close to the average for peak summer water temperatures which typically occur in late August.

Many people define safe swimming as water temperatures at or above 70 degrees. So if you’re brave, it’s just about warm enough for a brisk swim in Lake Superior this month. 

Weather and Climate News

Updraft® - Minnesota Weather News

Paul Huttner

Author

Lake Superior is finally somewhat swimmable for the brave at heart. 

A lifeguard looks at the beach near the end of Park Point in Duluth. 

Lake Superior finally nearing peak summer water temperatures

Go Deeper.

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