Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Benton Harbor experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.0 inches. The area receives 77.7 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. The city sits at an elevation of 622 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
49.8°F
8% below US avg
January Average
27°F (-3°C)
July Average
72°F (22°C)
Geography
Elevation
622 ft (190 m)
Area
4.7 sq mi (12.1 km²)
Population Density
2,055/sq mi
Coordinates
42.1135°N, 86.4473°W
Timezone
America/Detroit
County
Van Buren County County
Nearest Airport
Southwest Michigan Regional (BEH) 2 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall35.0"
8% below US avg
Snowfall77.7"
Wettest Month (Oct)4.16"
Driest Month (Feb)1.60"
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
60.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability
48.2 / 100
Community Resilience
92.3 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively High
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Relatively High
Drought
No Rating
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.2.
May 2, 2015
5 km S of Galesburg, Michigan
M4.2
85 km
4 km
Jun 30, 2015
5 km NNE of Burlington, Michigan
M3.3
116 km
5 km
Nov 4, 2013
1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois
M3.2
119 km
1 km
Jan 26, 2012
5 km NE of Topeka, Indiana
M3.0
99 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
310 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 109 fatalities, 1,319 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 3, 1956
EF5
63 km
58.8 mi
17
Apr 2, 1977
EF4
76 km
12.4 mi
0
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
73 km
21.2 mi
31
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
83 km
21.6 mi
5
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
63 km
37.0 mi
36
Oct 18, 2007
EF3
93 km
20.3 mi
0
Oct 24, 2001
EF3
55 km
47.0 mi
1
May 13, 1980
EF3
22 km
21.0 mi
0
May 13, 1980
EF3
63 km
10.6 mi
5
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
94 km
12.1 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
63 km
12.6 mi
0
Oct 24, 1967
EF3
90 km
0.1 mi
0
Nov 26, 1965
EF3
46 km
1.0 mi
0
Apr 11, 1965
EF3
75 km
14.2 mi
0
Apr 11, 1965
EF3
86 km
35.6 mi
10
Apr 30, 1962
EF3
50 km
36.5 mi
0
Aug 12, 1956
EF3
100 km
23.4 mi
0
Apr 3, 1956
EF3
31 km
60.6 mi
0
Aug 6, 2024
EF2
57 km
8.5 mi
0
May 7, 2024
EF2
79 km
19.5 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
Highest wave on record: 3.0 m (10 ft).
Year
Location
Cause
Max Wave
Deaths
Distance
1954
MICHIGAN CITY, IN (LAKE MICHIGAN)
Avalanche
3.0 m
7
58 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
4 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: ALLEGAN6 (1,077 acres, 1988).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1988
ALLEGAN6
1,077
61 km
1986
OGDEN DUNS
863
85 km
2021
21-INDU TOLLESTON DUNES EAST
594
84 km
2017
17 INDU COWLES DUNES
522
75 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
27°F (-3°C)
2.0 in
Coldest
February
29°F (-2°C)
1.6 in
Driest
March
37°F (3°C)
2.0 in
April
47°F (9°C)
3.3 in
May
58°F (14°C)
3.8 in
June
68°F (20°C)
3.0 in
July
72°F (22°C)
3.2 in
Warmest
August
70°F (21°C)
3.6 in
September
63°F (17°C)
3.6 in
October
53°F (11°C)
4.2 in
Wettest
November
42°F (5°C)
2.7 in
December
32°F (0°C)
2.0 in
Benton Harbor has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 27°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.0 inches, with October being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (1.6").