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Weather & Climate in Alpena, MI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Alpena has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 270 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 31.9 inches. The area receives 59.4 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 609 feet.
Temperature
20°F Jan (-7°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 44.2°F |
| 18% below US avg | |
| January Average | 20°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 270 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 609 ft (186 m) |
| Area | 9.2 sq mi (23.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,246/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.0745°N, 83.4436°W |
| Timezone | America/Detroit |
| County | Presque Isle County County |
| Nearest Airport | Alpena County Regional (APN) 6 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 21.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 87.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 75.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
66 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 5 fatalities, 24 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF3 | 82 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF3 | 93 km | 35.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 30, 1976 | EF3 | 97 km | 6.4 mi | 1 |
| Jun 8, 1953 | EF3 | 28 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF2 | 20 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF2 | 29 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF2 | 83 km | 11.6 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1995 | EF2 | 78 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 30, 1976 | EF2 | 56 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1964 | EF2 | 42 km | 17.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1957 | EF2 | 43 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1953 | EF2 | 84 km | 16.6 mi | 4 |
| Sep 8, 2015 | EF1 | 94 km | 8.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2014 | EF1 | 86 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2014 | EF1 | 84 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2008 | EF1 | 36 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF1 | 49 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF1 | 80 km | 10.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2004 | EF1 | 43 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1999 | EF1 | 69 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MERIDIAN BOUNDARY COMPLEX (MERIDIAN ROAD) (7,478 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | MERIDIAN BOUNDARY COMPLEX (MERIDIAN ROAD) | 7,478 | 98 km |
| 1990 | CRAWFORD15 | 6,868 | 95 km |
| 2021 | BRITTLE | 5,912 | 76 km |
| 2006 | HUGHES LAKE FIRE | 5,285 | 88 km |
| 2000 | NO PABLO | 5,266 | 70 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 4,059 | 93 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 4,020 | 93 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,759 | 76 km |
| 2018 | BRITTLE 04/30/2018 | 3,484 | 77 km |
| 2022 | BLUE LAKES | 2,554 | 71 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,349 | 73 km |
| 1987 | OGEMAW22 | 1,952 | 88 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,844 | 94 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,796 | 73 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,751 | 73 km |
| 1984 | RIVER ROAD | 1,693 | 73 km |
| 2017 | BRITTLE 20 AND 23 RX | 1,557 | 78 km |
| 1988 | OGEMAW13 | 1,547 | 94 km |
| 2024 | RANGE 30 24-03 RX | 1,523 | 100 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,434 | 73 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°F (-7°C) | 1.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 21°F (-6°C) | 1.3 in | Driest |
| March | 29°F (-2°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 2.3 in | |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 2.6 in | |
| June | 62°F (17°C) | 2.6 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 3.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 3.4 in | Wettest |
| September | 58°F (15°C) | 3.0 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 2.5 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 2.2 in | |
| December | 26°F (-4°C) | 2.0 in |
Alpena has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 20°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 29.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.4") and February the driest (1.3").