Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Dowagiac 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 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. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 771 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-5°C)71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
48.1°F
11% below US avg
January Average
24°F (-5°C)
July Average
71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
771 ft (235 m)
Area
4.5 sq mi (11.8 km²)
Population Density
1,276/sq mi
Coordinates
41.9834°N, 86.1128°W
Timezone
America/Detroit
County
Cass County County
Nearest Airport
Southwest Michigan Regional (BEH) 19 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall41.7"
10% above US avg
Wettest Month (Sep)3.98"
Driest Month (Feb)1.81"
Air Quality
AQI Median
38.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
47.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability
52.6 / 100
Community Resilience
49.8 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Very Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Relatively 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
63 km
4 km
Jun 30, 2015
5 km NNE of Burlington, Michigan
M3.3
90 km
5 km
Nov 4, 2013
1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois
M3.2
143 km
1 km
Jan 26, 2012
5 km NE of Topeka, Indiana
M3.0
69 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
372 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 159 fatalities, 2,038 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 3, 1956
EF5
75 km
58.8 mi
17
Apr 2, 1977
EF4
57 km
12.4 mi
0
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
45 km
37.0 mi
36
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
94 km
80.5 mi
21
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
52 km
21.2 mi
31
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
53 km
21.6 mi
5
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
83 km
90.3 mi
23
Oct 18, 2007
EF3
76 km
20.3 mi
0
Oct 24, 2001
EF3
48 km
47.0 mi
1
May 15, 1986
EF3
95 km
1.2 mi
0
May 13, 1980
EF3
28 km
21.0 mi
0
May 13, 1980
EF3
48 km
10.6 mi
5
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
78 km
12.6 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
90 km
12.1 mi
0
Apr 3, 1974
EF3
82 km
36.2 mi
5
Nov 26, 1965
EF3
45 km
1.0 mi
0
Apr 11, 1965
EF3
60 km
14.2 mi
0
Apr 11, 1965
EF3
80 km
35.6 mi
10
Apr 11, 1965
EF3
100 km
14.1 mi
0
Apr 30, 1962
EF3
49 km
36.5 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
71 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
3 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: ALLEGAN6 (1,077 acres, 1988).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1988
ALLEGAN6
1,077
66 km
2021
21-INDU TOLLESTON DUNES EAST
594
100 km
2017
17 INDU COWLES DUNES
522
90 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
24°F (-5°C)
2.2 in
Coldest
February
27°F (-3°C)
1.8 in
Driest
March
37°F (3°C)
2.7 in
April
48°F (9°C)
3.7 in
May
59°F (15°C)
3.4 in
June
68°F (20°C)
3.7 in
July
71°F (22°C)
3.7 in
Warmest
August
70°F (21°C)
3.6 in
September
63°F (17°C)
4.0 in
Wettest
October
52°F (11°C)
3.2 in
November
40°F (4°C)
3.3 in
December
29°F (-2°C)
3.2 in
Dowagiac has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 24°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 38.4 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.0") and February the driest (1.8").
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