Crane Beach Weather

Crane Beach summers are warm, not hot: in July the average high is about 80°F and the average low about 60°F, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 normals for Beverly, the nearest station with temperature records, about 7 miles away. August is nearly the same. Winters are cold, with January highs in the mid-30s and about 16 inches of snow in an average January and February each.

For today's conditions, use the National Weather Service forecast for Crane Beach. For beach closures, call The Trustees' Crane Beach line at 978-356-4354.

Crane Beach Weather by Month

These are NOAA's 1991–2020 monthly normals for Beverly, Massachusetts (station USC00190593): average high and low temperature, total precipitation, and snowfall.

• January: high 37°F, low 18°F, 3.7 in. of precipitation, 16 in. of snow.
• February: 39°F / 18°F, 3.6 in., 16.4 in. of snow.
• March: 45°F / 25°F, 4.6 in., 7.6 in. of snow.
• April: 57°F / 34°F, 4.2 in., 1.4 in. of snow.
• May: 66°F / 44°F, 3.5 in.
• June: 75°F / 54°F, 4.0 in.
• July: 80°F / 60°F, 3.4 in.
• August: 79°F / 58°F, 3.4 in.
• September: 72°F / 51°F, 3.8 in.
• October: 61°F / 40°F, 5.0 in.
• November: 51°F / 31°F, 4.0 in., about 1 in. of snow.
• December: 42°F / 24°F, 4.8 in., 8.8 in. of snow.

The Best Weather for a Beach Day

July and August are the warmest months and the only stretch when the air is reliably beach-warm. June starts the season in the mid-70s. September is the overlooked month: highs still average about 72°F, the water is close to its warmest of the year (see water temperature), and greenheads are gone (see greenhead season). Lifeguards, though, finish at Labor Day.

Wind, Fog and Cold Water

The water off Crane Beach stays cold even when the air is warm. NOAA buoy averages for August are only about 67 to 68°F at the surface offshore. The Trustees have also seen upwelling drop the ocean temperature by more than 10°F in recent years. Bring a layer, even in July.

Storms, Lightning and Closures

The Crane Public Safety Team or government officials can close the water whenever they decide it's needed, and storms can close the whole property. A few weather rules matter for your wallet:

• A full closure of two hours or more for thunder and lightning is the only case where The Trustees refund or exchange a pass.
• No refunds for water closures, however long.
• No refunds when Argilla Road floods, which can happen with storms and high tides (see tides).

Live updates go on the Crane Beach voicemail at 978-356-4354 and The Trustees' Facebook page.

Winter at Crane Beach

The beach stays open 8 a.m. to sunset all winter. December through February bring most of the snow, with about 51 inches across the season in Beverly's normals, and highs under 45°F. It's the season for dog walkers (see dogs), horseback riders, and anyone who wants four miles of beach nearly to themselves. There's no running water in winter, so plan for it.