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Weather & Climate in Elk Rapids, MI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Elk Rapids has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 270 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 33.7 inches. The area receives 132.1 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 592 feet.
Temperature
18°F Jan (-8°C)
67°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 43.0°F |
| 20% below US avg | |
| January Average | 18°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 270 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 592 ft (180 m) |
| Area | 2.0 sq mi (5.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 944/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.8980°N, 85.4045°W |
| Timezone | America/Detroit |
| County | Grand Traverse County County |
| Nearest Airport | Gaylord Regional (GLR) 35 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 65.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 16.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 96.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively 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: M2.9.
| Aug 2, 2024 | 38 km ESE of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin | M2.9 | 123 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
92 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 4 fatalities, 95 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1956 | EF4 | 89 km | 50.3 mi | 1 |
| May 20, 2022 | EF3 | 42 km | 17.5 mi | 2 |
| Jul 3, 1974 | EF3 | 31 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1969 | EF3 | 27 km | 6.4 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF2 | 92 km | 11.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF2 | 29 km | 4.5 mi | 1 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF2 | 99 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1977 | EF2 | 20 km | 19.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1976 | EF2 | 39 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1975 | EF2 | 52 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1974 | EF2 | 72 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1974 | EF2 | 75 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 1973 | EF2 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1964 | EF2 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1964 | EF2 | 10 km | 16.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1963 | EF2 | 67 km | 19.6 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 1961 | EF2 | 16 km | 14.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2014 | EF1 | 32 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2014 | EF1 | 70 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2014 | EF1 | 52 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MERIDIAN BOUNDARY COMPLEX (MERIDIAN ROAD) (7,478 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | MERIDIAN BOUNDARY COMPLEX (MERIDIAN ROAD) | 7,478 | 86 km |
| 1990 | CRAWFORD15 | 6,868 | 73 km |
| 2006 | HUGHES LAKE FIRE | 5,285 | 99 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 4,059 | 66 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 4,020 | 66 km |
| 2022 | BLUE LAKES | 2,554 | 89 km |
| 2005 | ROSCOMMON4 | 2,109 | 97 km |
| 2021 | 21-SLBE LASSO LOOP BURN | 1,906 | 57 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,844 | 64 km |
| 2024 | RANGE 30 24-03 RX | 1,523 | 66 km |
| 1985 | CRAWFORD45 | 1,412 | 66 km |
| 1998 | OGEMAW16 | 1,391 | 99 km |
| 2008 | FOUR MILE | 1,348 | 62 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,267 | 57 km |
| 2010 | MERIDIAN BOUNDARY COMPLEX (RANGE 9) | 1,202 | 51 km |
| 1995 | OGEMAW10 | 856 | 98 km |
| 2011 | HOWES LAKE | 839 | 52 km |
| 2003 | WARFIELD ROAD | 800 | 81 km |
| 1990 | CRAWFORD16 | 777 | 75 km |
| 1996 | HAGAMAN ROAD | 658 | 91 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.3 in | Driest |
| March | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.6 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 2.2 in | |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 2.5 in | |
| June | 62°F (17°C) | 3.0 in | |
| July | 67°F (19°C) | 2.6 in | |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 3.0 in | Warmest |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 4.0 in | Wettest |
| October | 49°F (10°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 2.7 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 2.2 in |
Elk Rapids has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 18°F in January to 67°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 30.1 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.0") and February the driest (1.3").