Tomorrow marks the first day of summer, but in case you haven’t noticed, the weather hasn’t felt very seasonal. If we look at the city of Madison, the average temperature range in June is 75 degrees to 81 degrees Fahrenheit, rarely falling below 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

Source: Weather Underground

This year, however, we’ve experienced some abnormalities in terms of weather. Only half of our days have been in the average temperature range, and we’ve only seen three days reach the 80-degree mark. Days have been gloomy and rainy, making it challenging to stay optimistic about the season ahead.

We understand that it can be disappointing to see another cloudy day. Unfortunately, the weather is one of those areas that no one can control. Luckily, there are ways to enjoy the first part of June, even if it is a bit cooler than usual. We’ve compiled a couple of ideas to get you started:

1. Participate in activities where warm weather is not essential

When you think about summertime, you probably think about activities like swimming and boating, but there are other ways to get outside. Rather than relying solely on the weather, consider taking part in other fun activities such as fishing or kayaking. If you wouldn’t consider yourself to be much of an outdoorsman, you can always plan trips to the farmers market, a local festival or outdoor concert. You might even enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or coffee to keep your hands warm. How of you have that opportunity in June?

2. Bring your parties indoors

Many people look forward to June because they have an excuse to get out and socialize with friends and neighbors after a long, cold winter. We know it may be easier to host an outdoor barbecue, but there’s no reason why you can’t bring everyone inside for a small get-together. Invite everyone over for a potluck-style dinner, so all of the responsibility isn’t left on one person. We can almost guarantee you will be thanked immensely for being the volunteer host.

3. Appreciate your layers

Are you familiar with the term, ‘sweater weather?’ Typically, at the end of September, a transformation happens in Wisconsin; pumpkin is added to everything, and people take out all of their sweaters and sweatshirts. We know that it might be a little too early for pumpkin season, but you can give all of your layers an escape from the back of the closet – at least temporarily.

4. Plan a weekend getaway

Just because it is chilly here in Wisconsin does not mean that you’re going to find that weather everywhere. Cities like Des Moines and Chicago are expected to see beautiful weather on Saturday and Sunday. Even if it’s too late to pack your bags for a spontaneous weekend away, consider planning a vacation for some time this year. Studies have shown that planning a trip can make you happier than actually taking it. Remember, time away is good for you!

People of the Midwest have mixed feelings about summer. Some adore the warm, humidity that Wisconsin brings while others prefer to stay in with the air conditioning turned up. If you don’t much care for summer due to the heat, think of the cooler temperatures a gift. If you long for the warm, 80-degree days, try to stay patient and know they are coming (just look at the 10 day forecast.) Until then, try to appreciate the unpredictably of Mother Nature. How do you plan to take advantage of the cooler weather?

Happy First Day of Summer from Lions Pride!