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Weather & Climate in Chelsea, MI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Chelsea experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 34.7 inches. The area receives 32.9 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 924 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-5°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 48.3°F |
| 11% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 260 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 924 ft (282 m) |
| Area | 3.6 sq mi (9.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,497/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.3114°N, 84.0194°W |
| Timezone | America/Detroit |
| County | Jackson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Detroit Metro Wayne County (DTW) 35 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 76.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 34.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 91.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
16 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 | 116 km | 4 km |
| Sep 2, 1994 | 5 km SSW of DeWitt, Michigan | M3.5 | 72 km | 5 km |
| Apr 20, 2018 | Michigan | M3.4 | 86 km | 3 km |
| Jun 30, 2015 | 5 km NNE of Burlington, Michigan | M3.3 | 87 km | 5 km |
| Jan 26, 2012 | 5 km NE of Topeka, Indiana | M3.0 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Feb 23, 2011 | 18 km NE of Leamington, Canada | M3.0 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Apr 12, 2007 | 11 km NW of Put-in-Bay, Ohio | M2.8 | 112 km | 5 km |
| May 14, 2010 | 1 km ENE of Gibsonburg, Ohio | M2.7 | 119 km | 5 km |
| May 20, 2023 | 3 km SSE of Walbridge, Ohio | M2.6 | 95 km | 6 km |
| May 14, 2017 | 18 km ENE of Leamington, Canada | M2.6 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 1990 | 4 km SSE of Van Buren, Ohio | M2.5 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Mar 18, 2024 | 4 km WSW of Millbury, Ohio | M2.5 | 96 km | 6 km |
| Sep 7, 2012 | 17 km ESE of Stony Point, Michigan | M2.5 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Mar 8, 2010 | 7 km ENE of Grosse Ile, Michigan | M2.5 | 80 km | 18 km |
| Feb 7, 2016 | 6 km W of Put-in-Bay, Ohio | M2.5 | 118 km | 5 km |
| May 23, 2022 | 2 km NNW of Corunna, Canada | M2.5 | 145 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
444 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 189 fatalities, 2,094 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 8, 1953 | EF5 | 89 km | 18.9 mi | 116 |
| Jun 5, 2010 | EF4 | 93 km | 8.8 mi | 7 |
| Apr 2, 1977 | EF4 | 83 km | 16.6 mi | 1 |
| Mar 20, 1976 | EF4 | 54 km | 3.8 mi | 1 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF4 | 94 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 79 km | 5.6 mi | 18 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 79 km | 21.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 99 km | 80.5 mi | 21 |
| Jul 4, 1957 | EF4 | 33 km | 29.9 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1956 | EF4 | 81 km | 6.6 mi | 3 |
| May 12, 1956 | EF4 | 66 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1953 | EF4 | 70 km | 5.4 mi | 4 |
| Mar 15, 2012 | EF3 | 11 km | 7.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2007 | EF3 | 73 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1997 | EF3 | 99 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF3 | 81 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF3 | 73 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 14, 1990 | EF3 | 49 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1986 | EF3 | 89 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 1984 | EF3 | 81 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-5°C) | 1.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 24°F (-4°C) | 1.6 in | Driest |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 2.5 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 3.1 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 3.1 in | |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 3.6 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 3.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (20°C) | 3.3 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 3.3 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 38°F (4°C) | 2.8 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 2.4 in |
Chelsea has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 24°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.6") and February the driest (1.6").