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Weather & Climate in Bear Lake, MI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bear Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 18°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 33.2 inches. The area receives 88.3 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 1,217 feet.
Temperature
18°F Jan (-8°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 43.3°F |
| 20% below US avg | |
| January Average | 18°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 270 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,217 ft (371 m) |
| Area | 6.4 sq mi (16.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 46/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.7175°N, 84.9437°W |
| Timezone | America/Detroit |
| County | Crawford County County |
| Nearest Airport | Gaylord Regional (GLR) 24 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 18.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 72.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 62.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
141 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 4 fatalities, 92 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 20, 2022 | EF3 | 29 km | 17.5 mi | 2 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF3 | 76 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF3 | 88 km | 35.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 30, 1976 | EF3 | 95 km | 6.4 mi | 1 |
| Mar 30, 1976 | EF3 | 87 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1974 | EF3 | 42 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1969 | EF3 | 58 km | 6.4 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF2 | 52 km | 11.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF2 | 99 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF2 | 23 km | 4.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 13, 1995 | EF2 | 93 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1995 | EF2 | 66 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1993 | EF2 | 90 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF2 | 78 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF2 | 75 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1985 | EF2 | 95 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1977 | EF2 | 45 km | 19.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1976 | EF2 | 29 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1975 | EF2 | 85 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1975 | EF2 | 15 km | 1.5 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 | 44 km |
| 1990 | CRAWFORD15 | 6,868 | 33 km |
| 2006 | HUGHES LAKE FIRE | 5,285 | 58 km |
| 2000 | NO PABLO | 5,266 | 76 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 4,059 | 32 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 4,020 | 32 km |
| 2022 | BLUE LAKES | 2,554 | 70 km |
| 2005 | ROSCOMMON4 | 2,109 | 60 km |
| 1987 | OGEMAW22 | 1,952 | 65 km |
| 2021 | 21-SLBE LASSO LOOP BURN | 1,906 | 90 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,844 | 32 km |
| 1988 | OGEMAW13 | 1,547 | 62 km |
| 2024 | RANGE 30 24-03 RX | 1,523 | 27 km |
| 1985 | CRAWFORD45 | 1,412 | 33 km |
| 1998 | OGEMAW16 | 1,391 | 57 km |
| 2008 | FOUR MILE | 1,348 | 20 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,276 | 100 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,267 | 17 km |
| 2010 | MERIDIAN BOUNDARY COMPLEX (RANGE 9) | 1,202 | 11 km |
| 2012 | LITTLE MACK LAKE | 875 | 69 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 1.3 in | Driest |
| March | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.9 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 2.5 in | |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 2.9 in | |
| June | 62°F (17°C) | 3.3 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 3.6 in | |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 35°F (2°C) | 2.7 in | |
| December | 24°F (-4°C) | 2.1 in |
Bear Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 18°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.2 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (1.3").