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Weather & Climate in Big Rapids, MI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Big Rapids has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 37.9 inches. The area receives 61.3 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 924 feet.
Temperature
20°F Jan (-6°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 45.1°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 20°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 260 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 924 ft (282 m) |
| Area | 4.5 sq mi (11.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,763/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.6997°N, 85.4813°W |
| Timezone | America/Detroit |
| County | Mecosta County County |
| Nearest Airport | Gerald R Ford International (GRR) 57 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 69.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 64.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 62.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively 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: M3.5.
| Sep 2, 1994 | 5 km SSW of DeWitt, Michigan | M3.5 | 123 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
204 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 10 fatalities, 293 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 84 km | 20.6 mi | 5 |
| Apr 3, 1956 | EF4 | 98 km | 50.3 mi | 1 |
| Apr 23, 1968 | EF3 | 0 km | 60.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF3 | 92 km | 13.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1994 | EF2 | 74 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1991 | EF2 | 72 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF2 | 45 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1985 | EF2 | 30 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1982 | EF2 | 87 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1978 | EF2 | 86 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1976 | EF2 | 99 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1976 | EF2 | 96 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 1975 | EF2 | 38 km | 1.5 mi | 1 |
| May 21, 1975 | EF2 | 85 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1975 | EF2 | 100 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1974 | EF2 | 0 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1974 | EF2 | 59 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 1974 | EF2 | 77 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 1973 | EF2 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1972 | EF2 | 63 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
9 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: GRANT RX (2,204 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | GRANT RX | 2,204 | 85 km |
| 2005 | ROSCOMMON4 | 2,109 | 92 km |
| 2018 | SER 438 / WHITE RIVER | 814 | 60 km |
| 2003 | WARFIELD ROAD | 800 | 67 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 793 | 60 km |
| 1994 | COUNTY LINE | 735 | 35 km |
| 2019 | BALDWIN FUELS UNITS 1/2/6AB | 619 | 40 km |
| 2021 | WARFIELD | 538 | 67 km |
| 2024 | WHELAN LAKE BLOCK 1 PARTIAL 1 RX | 512 | 58 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°F (-6°C) | 2.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 21°F (-6°C) | 1.5 in | Driest |
| March | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 2.9 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 3.0 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 3.2 in | |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 2.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 3.0 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 2.4 in |
Big Rapids has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 20°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.9 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (1.5").