Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bessemer has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F (5°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. The area gets 253 sunny days per year, above the national average. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 1,483 feet.
Temperature
11°F Jan (-12°C)66°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average
40.2°F
26% below US avg
January Average
11°F (-12°C)
July Average
66°F (19°C)
Sunny Days
253 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
1,483 ft (452 m)
Area
5.5 sq mi (14.2 km²)
Population Density
323/sq mi
Coordinates
46.4776°N, 90.0498°W
Timezone
America/Detroit
County
Iron County County
Nearest Airport
Duluth International (DLH) 105 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Wettest Month (Jun)3.98"
Driest Month (Feb)1.22"
Air Quality
AQI Median
38.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
11.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability
76.1 / 100
Community Resilience
31.6 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very Low
Hurricane
No Rating
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Very Low
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Very Low
Drought
Very Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Very 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: M2.5.
Jan 7, 2024
3 km NE of Mole Lake, Wisconsin
M2.5
138 km
5 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: EF3. Total: 3 fatalities, 54 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jun 8, 1985
EF3
69 km
68.0 mi
2
Apr 27, 1984
EF3
92 km
29.0 mi
1
Jul 7, 1970
EF3
26 km
37.9 mi
0
Jul 27, 2010
EF2
53 km
0.9 mi
0
Jun 27, 1991
EF2
78 km
6.0 mi
0
Jul 4, 1986
EF2
89 km
1.5 mi
0
Sep 20, 1972
EF2
95 km
13.1 mi
0
Jun 26, 1969
EF2
60 km
28.9 mi
0
Aug 14, 1961
EF2
64 km
4.5 mi
0
Jul 14, 1958
EF2
34 km
1.5 mi
0
Aug 9, 2020
EF1
81 km
5.9 mi
0
Aug 9, 2020
EF1
67 km
6.2 mi
0
Jul 18, 2020
EF1
66 km
0.6 mi
0
Jul 11, 2016
EF1
15 km
2.3 mi
0
Jul 11, 2016
EF1
5 km
2.4 mi
0
May 22, 2011
EF1
90 km
3.3 mi
0
Jul 27, 2010
EF1
46 km
4.8 mi
0
Jun 5, 2005
EF1
37 km
0.3 mi
0
May 1, 2001
EF1
73 km
1.5 mi
0
Jul 14, 1995
EF1
87 km
3.5 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
17 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: NW SANDS UNITS I/F/C/A (3,386 acres, 2019).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2019
NW SANDS UNITS I/F/C/A
3,386
95 km
2016
UNNAMED
2,682
96 km
2013
UNNAMED
2,240
95 km
2014
UNNAMED
2,116
92 km
2015
UNNAMED
1,407
93 km
2015
UNNAMED
1,361
97 km
2021
NW SANDS - BLOCK E RX
1,361
93 km
2019
RILEY
1,254
73 km
2007
PIONEER FIRE
1,072
90 km
2018
UNNAMED
961
96 km
2024
NW SANDS BLOCK J RX
911
97 km
2024
NW SANDS BLOCK B RX
844
96 km
2018
NW SANDS BLOCK C
771
92 km
1987
FOULDS CREEK
750
72 km
2022
BRINKS 8C - SOUTH RX
725
86 km
2022
UNNAMED
702
72 km
2022
LDF MARSH BURN 2022
503
48 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
11°F (-12°C)
1.9 in
Coldest
February
15°F (-10°C)
1.2 in
Driest
March
25°F (-4°C)
2.0 in
April
39°F (4°C)
2.2 in
May
52°F (11°C)
3.3 in
June
61°F (16°C)
4.0 in
Wettest
July
66°F (19°C)
3.9 in
Warmest
August
63°F (17°C)
3.9 in
September
55°F (13°C)
3.9 in
October
44°F (7°C)
3.3 in
November
29°F (-2°C)
2.8 in
December
16°F (-9°C)
2.1 in
Bessemer has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 11°F in January to 66°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 34.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.0") and February the driest (1.2").