Photo by Craig Sterken

Ludington Weather & Water Temperatures

Ludington Weather Conditions

West Michigan weather – they say if you don’t like the weather in Ludington, wait a few minutes and it will change.

Along the Lake Michigan shoreline our weather patterns can hardly be called patterns. The Great Lakes have a tendency to create their own weather in their own way. That keeps the local forecasters on their toes. What’s forecasted isn’t what always happens. Weather that happens in Wisconsin doesn’t always make it across Lake Michigan, fronts in Canada that should miss us sometimes come barreling down, and sometimes “squalls” develop over the lakes from clear blue skies.

Visit forecast.weather.gov to get the most updated weather information for Ludington from the National Weather Service.

Lake Michigan Water Conditions

We residents of Ludington are blessed to have one of the Great Lakes right in our backyard. Lake Michigan is a vast, fresh water lake that is a haven for swimmers, boaters, and fishermen. The S.S. Badger carferry crosses Lake Michigan every day during the summer as a shortcut to Wisconsin. Though not as warm as the oceans, temperatures of Lake Michigan do rise to the high 60’s in July and August to make swimming enjoyable, and definitely refreshing! Rarely do temperatures make it to the 70’s, unless air temperatures stay up in the 90’s for many continuous days.

Our beaches in Ludington are some of the nicest and cleanest you’ll find anywhere. You can choose whether or not to join the crowds at the highly populated spots or find a private beach that’s less busy. Sunning, swimming, or building that special sand castle- Ludington’s beaches offer it all!

Visit coastwatch.msu.edu to get daily temperature readings of Lake Michigan in Ludington and for current swimming safety conditions, go to forecast.weather.gov. 

Hamlin Lake Water Temperatures

One of the wonderful things about Hamlin Lake is the shape of the lake. Here’s why. Upper Hamlin Lake runs east and west, while Lower Hamlin Lake runs north and south. This means that, no matter what the wind direction on any given day, there’s probably a section of the lake which can be enjoyed. Hamlin Lake also has multiple bayous which are often very sheltered from the prevailing winds.

The waters of Hamlin Lake beaches are typically much warmer than the water along Lake Michigan beaches. So, if the big lake feels a bit on the chilly side, head to a sheltered Hamlin Lake beach, such as the beach within the Ludington State Park.

More Environmental Information

Scroll below for more articles about the Ludington area activities and attractions.
 

Experience the Activities and Attractions of Ludington!

Murals of Ludington

Within the downtown Ludington region, several murals grace the façades of local area businesses, telling stories of the area’s rich history.

Mason County Cultural Trails

Mason County is home to several trails that tell stories with fascinating histories. Explore these self-guided tours to learn about each one!

Cool Things to Do

Check out our picks for the top 50 coolest things to do in Ludington, Michigan, along the shores of Lake Michigan.

Power

The Ludington Pumped Storage Plant and Lakewinds Energy Park are the two main sources of energy that power Ludington! Check them out!