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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 47°F (8°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 69°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 34.3 inches. The area receives 93.0 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 619 feet.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average46.5°F
14% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days270 days/yr

Geography

Elevation619 ft (189 m)
Area1.2 sq mi (3.2 km²)
Population Density373/sq mi
Coordinates44.8126°N, 86.0593°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
CountyBenzie County County
Nearest AirportGaylord Regional (GLR)
68 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 34.3"
10% below US avg
Snowfall 93.0"
Wettest Month (Sep) 4.09"
Driest Month (Feb) 1.65"

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score22.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability53.4 / 100
Community Resilience99.0 / 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 24°F (-5°C) 2.3 in
February 23°F (-5°C) 1.7 in Coldest, Driest
March 31°F (-1°C) 2.1 in
April 42°F (5°C) 2.5 in
May 53°F (12°C) 2.5 in
June 62°F (17°C) 3.2 in
July 69°F (21°C) 2.6 in Warmest
August 67°F (20°C) 3.2 in
September 60°F (16°C) 4.1 in Wettest
October 49°F (10°C) 2.9 in
November 38°F (3°C) 2.8 in
December 28°F (-2°C) 2.4 in

Empire has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 23°F in February to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.4 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (1.7").

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