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Weather & Climate in Benzonia, MI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Benzonia experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 69°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 34.3 inches. The area receives 93.0 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 809 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-5°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 46.5°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 270 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 809 ft (247 m) |
| Area | 1.1 sq mi (2.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 650/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.6161°N, 86.0989°W |
| Timezone | America/Detroit |
| County | Benzie County County |
| Nearest Airport | Gaylord Regional (GLR) 74 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 22.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 53.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 99.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.9.
| Aug 2, 2024 | 38 km ESE of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin | M2.9 | 67 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
65 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 3 fatalities, 49 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1956 | EF4 | 29 km | 50.3 mi | 1 |
| Jul 3, 1974 | EF3 | 94 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1969 | EF3 | 37 km | 6.4 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF2 | 69 km | 4.5 mi | 1 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF2 | 100 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1985 | EF2 | 85 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1977 | EF2 | 81 km | 19.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1976 | EF2 | 67 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1974 | EF2 | 66 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1972 | EF2 | 89 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1964 | EF2 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1964 | EF2 | 55 km | 16.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1963 | EF2 | 66 km | 19.6 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 1961 | EF2 | 50 km | 14.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 26, 1951 | EF2 | 95 km | 2.3 mi | 1 |
| Aug 28, 2018 | EF1 | 84 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2014 | EF1 | 88 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2008 | EF1 | 63 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2008 | EF1 | 100 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 2005 | EF1 | 82 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
10 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: GRANT RX (2,204 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | GRANT RX | 2,204 | 62 km |
| 2021 | 21-SLBE LASSO LOOP BURN | 1,906 | 13 km |
| 2010 | MERIDIAN BOUNDARY COMPLEX (RANGE 9) | 1,202 | 97 km |
| 2003 | WARFIELD ROAD | 800 | 47 km |
| 1994 | COUNTY LINE | 735 | 88 km |
| 2019 | BALDWIN FUELS UNITS 1/2/6AB | 619 | 83 km |
| 2019 | 19-SLBE PETERSON | 605 | 12 km |
| 2021 | WARFIELD | 538 | 47 km |
| 1987 | KALKASKA17 | 520 | 92 km |
| 2024 | WHELAN LAKE BLOCK 1 PARTIAL 1 RX | 512 | 79 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-5°C) | 2.4 in | |
| February | 22°F (-5°C) | 1.7 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 2.6 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 2.6 in | |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 2.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 60°F (15°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 2.8 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 2.5 in |
Benzonia has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 22°F in February to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.5 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (1.7").