Weather in the Great Rivers & Routes Region

Situated in the Midwest the Great Rivers & Routes region has four distinct seasons, all of which come with their own delights. The average annual high temperature for the region is 66.6 degrees, with the average annual low temp at 47.3 degrees.

In the summer the sun shines bright, bringing with it the hot summer days and warm evenings. In the winter the temperatures can dip below freezing … but don’t worry, when it snows the climate tends to bring a quick melt.

Cooler weather offers opportunities to celebrate the influx of eagles to the area; the summer sun invites outdoor festivals nearly every weekend. And of course, in the fall, the cooler breezes herald brilliant colors. 

Summer – June to September

The average summer high temperature in the Great Rivers & Routes region is 89 degrees, in July, and the region gets 200 days of sun on average. That’s a lot of warm weather perfect for outdoor activities on the river, the lake or one of the region’s many spacious parks. Even into the evening the weather stays warm, so dress light.

Fall – October to November

The reds, oranges and yellows of fall colors accompany cooler temperatures throughout the region. Packing can be tricky with the weather being less predictable than other seasons, so bring both short sleeves and a jacket just in case. The season isn’t overly rainy, but an umbrella might be helpful, too.

Winter – December to March

It gets cold during the winter months but temps also fluctuate – it can be 70 degrees one day and 30 degrees the next, so bring your heavy coat and gloves for good measure. The average low temperature is 23 degrees in January. No Daylight Savings Time means it gets dark around 5 p.m., making the days shorter but still allowing for plenty of exploration during daylight hours. Snow and ice aren’t uncommon – the area gets roughly 16 inches of snow a year on average – but the region is well prepared for it, clearing streets and shoveling sidewalks to make travel easy. 

Spring – April to May

April showers bring May flowers, with approximately 42 inches of rain falling on the region per year. The resulting flowers signify a welcome end to winter as the area begins to thaw out and warm up. The days slowly get longer as the cold weather gets further in the rearview mirror.