Weather

Coming up to Ely and wondering about the weather? We may be up north, but it's not always cold! Just the opposite. Ely has some of the best weather you'll find, no matter the season.

In Ely, the summer days are long and comfortable while the winters can be chilly and snowy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from -2°F to 77°F and is rarely below -27°F or above 85°F. Depending on the season, precipitation is common in both rainfall and snowfall, and often indicates when fish will be active or when it's best to make other plans for dinner!

If you want to visit Ely for warm-weather activities, warmest months are from early June to late September. The ideal time of year to visit Ely for cold-weather activities is from mid-November to late March. But if you ask us, there is no bad time to be in Ely.

A fun fact that many people don't consider when thinking about visiting Ely in the colder months: The acres to recreate almost double in the winter because of thick ice turning the surface of lakes into a cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog-sledding and snowmobiling playground.

But a word of caution: Temperature, snow cover and currents all affect the relative safety of ice. Review the DNR’s ice safety tips here.

And let's talk about the sky. No matter the season, the BWCAW has been certified as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, so enjoy those millions of stars. And if you're one of Aurora’s chosen ones, behold the magic of the Northern Lights and be forever changed