Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Benton Heights experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 38.2 inches. The area receives 77.7 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 648 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average
50.1°F
7% below US avg
January Average
26°F (-3°C)
July Average
73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days
260 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
648 ft (198 m)
Area
3.9 sq mi (10.0 km²)
Population Density
925/sq mi
Coordinates
42.1222°N, 86.4151°W
Timezone
America/Detroit
County
Van Buren County County
Nearest Airport
Southwest Michigan Regional (BEH) 1 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall38.2"
0% below US avg
Snowfall77.7"
Wettest Month (Sep)3.98"
Driest Month (Feb)1.65"
Air Quality
AQI Median
38.0
Rating
Good
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
82 km
4 km
Jun 30, 2015
5 km NNE of Burlington, Michigan
M3.3
113 km
5 km
Nov 4, 2013
1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois
M3.2
122 km
1 km
Jan 26, 2012
5 km NE of Topeka, Indiana
M3.0
98 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
311 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 109 fatalities, 1,324 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 3, 1956
EF5
61 km
58.8 mi
17
Apr 2, 1977
EF4
73 km
12.4 mi
0
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
73 km
21.2 mi
31
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
81 km
21.6 mi
5
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
63 km
37.0 mi
36
Oct 18, 2007
EF3
94 km
20.3 mi
0
Oct 24, 2001
EF3
56 km
47.0 mi
1
May 13, 1980
EF3
61 km
10.6 mi
5
May 13, 1980
EF3
19 km
21.0 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
96 km
12.1 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
66 km
12.6 mi
0
Oct 24, 1967
EF3
92 km
0.1 mi
0
Nov 26, 1965
EF3
48 km
1.0 mi
0
Apr 11, 1965
EF3
87 km
35.6 mi
10
Apr 11, 1965
EF3
73 km
14.2 mi
0
Apr 30, 1962
EF3
51 km
36.5 mi
0
Apr 3, 1956
EF3
29 km
60.6 mi
0
Aug 6, 2024
EF2
55 km
8.5 mi
0
May 7, 2024
EF2
62 km
10.9 mi
0
May 7, 2024
EF2
77 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
61 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
59 km
1986
OGDEN DUNS
863
88 km
2021
21-INDU TOLLESTON DUNES EAST
594
87 km
2017
17 INDU COWLES DUNES
522
78 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
26°F (-3°C)
2.2 in
Coldest
February
28°F (-2°C)
1.7 in
Driest
March
37°F (3°C)
2.6 in
April
48°F (9°C)
3.6 in
May
59°F (15°C)
3.3 in
June
68°F (20°C)
3.6 in
July
73°F (23°C)
3.5 in
Warmest
August
71°F (22°C)
3.6 in
September
63°F (17°C)
4.0 in
Wettest
October
52°F (11°C)
3.1 in
November
41°F (5°C)
3.4 in
December
30°F (-1°C)
3.1 in
Benton Heights has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 26°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.5 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.0") and February the driest (1.7").
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