When to go & weather

Weather

The Great Lakes possess 20% of the earth’s freshwater and 95% of America’s. The largest by volume is Lake Superior, followed by Lakes Michigan, Huron, Ontario and Erie – all four of which Lake Superior could contain easily.

The Ohio River and Mississippi River are the major riverways. Most of the region’s larger cities lie along them or on the lakeshores.

Winters can last from late November well into April, with plenty of snow, icy winds and subfreezing temperatures (eg Chicago and Minneapolis each average about 20°F (-7°C) in January, the coldest month). By June the sun is out and temperatures start to rise, and in July and August it can be downright hot and sticky. Spring and autumn fit in around the edges, and are wonderful times to visit – particularly autumn, when leaves are at their peak of color.