Weather & Climate in Empire, MI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Empire experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.7 inches. The area receives 143.3 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. 88% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 619 feet.
Temperature
22°F Jan (-5°C)
69°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 45.7°F |
| 15% below US avg | |
| January Average | 22°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (20°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 619 ft (189 m) |
| Area | 1.2 sq mi (3.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 373/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.8126°N, 86.0593°W |
| Timezone | America/Detroit |
| County | Benzie County County |
| Nearest Airport | Gaylord Regional (GLR) 68 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 88.2% |
| Unhealthy Days | 2 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 22.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 53.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 99.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| 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 | 71 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
55 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 4 fatalities, 79 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1956 | EF4 | 51 km | 50.3 mi | 1 |
| May 20, 2022 | EF3 | 95 km | 17.5 mi | 2 |
| Jul 3, 1974 | EF3 | 81 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1969 | EF3 | 32 km | 6.4 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF2 | 67 km | 4.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 31, 1977 | EF2 | 68 km | 19.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1976 | EF2 | 69 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1974 | EF2 | 80 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1964 | EF2 | 87 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1964 | EF2 | 43 km | 16.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1963 | EF2 | 77 km | 19.6 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 1961 | EF2 | 44 km | 14.4 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2024 | EF1 | 90 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2014 | EF1 | 82 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2008 | EF1 | 84 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 1, 2002 | EF1 | 95 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 1, 2002 | EF1 | 93 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF1 | 68 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 1990 | EF1 | 56 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 15, 1989 | EF1 | 18 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
8 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: GRANT RX (2,204 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | GRANT RX | 2,204 | 83 km |
| 2021 | 21-SLBE LASSO LOOP BURN | 1,906 | 9 km |
| 2010 | MERIDIAN BOUNDARY COMPLEX (RANGE 9) | 1,202 | 96 km |
| 2011 | HOWES LAKE | 839 | 99 km |
| 2003 | WARFIELD ROAD | 800 | 66 km |
| 2019 | 19-SLBE PETERSON | 605 | 10 km |
| 2021 | WARFIELD | 538 | 66 km |
| 1987 | KALKASKA17 | 520 | 91 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°F (-5°C) | 2.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.9 in | Driest |
| March | 31°F (-0°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 42°F (6°C) | 2.9 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 3.1 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 2.9 in | |
| July | 69°F (20°C) | 2.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 2.9 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 49°F (10°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 2.7 in |
Empire has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 22°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.7 inches, with October being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (1.9").