Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Buchanan experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 275 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 41.7 inches. The area receives 62.5 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 730 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
50.3°F
7% below US avg
January Average
26°F (-3°C)
July Average
72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
730 ft (223 m)
Area
2.6 sq mi (6.7 km²)
Population Density
1,690/sq mi
Coordinates
41.8283°N, 86.3660°W
Timezone
America/Detroit
County
St. Joseph County County
Nearest Airport
South Bend International (SBN) 9 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall41.7"
10% above US avg
Snowfall62.5"
Wettest Month (Jun)4.06"
Driest Month (Feb)1.81"
Air Quality
AQI Median
38.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
85.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability
37.2 / 100
Community Resilience
90.0 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively High
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Very Low
Cold Wave
Relatively High
Landslide
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
90 km
4 km
Jun 30, 2015
5 km NNE of Burlington, Michigan
M3.3
115 km
5 km
Nov 4, 2013
1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois
M3.2
121 km
1 km
Jan 26, 2012
5 km NE of Topeka, Indiana
M3.0
78 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
366 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 136 fatalities, 1,766 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 3, 1956
EF5
92 km
58.8 mi
17
Apr 2, 1977
EF4
84 km
12.4 mi
0
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
100 km
90.3 mi
23
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
31 km
37.0 mi
36
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
42 km
21.2 mi
31
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
60 km
21.6 mi
5
May 27, 2019
EF3
96 km
13.7 mi
0
Oct 18, 2007
EF3
61 km
20.3 mi
0
Oct 24, 2001
EF3
24 km
47.0 mi
1
May 13, 1980
EF3
45 km
21.0 mi
0
May 13, 1980
EF3
75 km
10.6 mi
5
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
65 km
12.1 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
52 km
12.6 mi
0
Apr 3, 1974
EF3
87 km
36.2 mi
5
Oct 24, 1967
EF3
77 km
0.1 mi
0
Nov 26, 1965
EF3
18 km
1.0 mi
0
Nov 12, 1965
EF3
98 km
4.1 mi
0
Apr 11, 1965
EF3
56 km
35.6 mi
10
Apr 11, 1965
EF3
87 km
33.1 mi
0
Apr 11, 1965
EF3
87 km
14.2 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
45 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
87 km
1986
OGDEN DUNS
863
75 km
2021
21-INDU TOLLESTON DUNES EAST
594
74 km
2017
17 INDU COWLES DUNES
522
65 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
27°F (-3°C)
1.8 in
Driest
March
37°F (3°C)
2.9 in
April
48°F (9°C)
3.7 in
May
60°F (15°C)
3.4 in
June
69°F (21°C)
4.1 in
Wettest
July
72°F (22°C)
3.7 in
Warmest
August
71°F (22°C)
3.7 in
September
63°F (17°C)
3.8 in
October
52°F (11°C)
3.2 in
November
40°F (5°C)
3.4 in
December
29°F (-2°C)
3.2 in
Buchanan has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 26°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (1.8").
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