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Weather & Climate in Grand Rapids, MI

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Grand Rapids experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 245 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 40.2 inches. The area receives 36.2 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 745 feet.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-0°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average50.9°F
6% below US avg
January Average31°F (-0°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days245 days/yr

Geography

Elevation745 ft (227 m)
Area45.3 sq mi (117.4 km²)
Population Density4,416/sq mi
Coordinates42.9612°N, 85.6556°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
CountyIonia County County
Nearest AirportGerald R Ford International (GRR)
9 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 40.2"
6% above US avg
Snowfall 36.2"
Wettest Month (Sep) 4.25"
Driest Month (Feb) 1.46"

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score55.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability33.6 / 100
Community Resilience81.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively High
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought No Rating
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

3 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 83 km 4 km
Sep 2, 1994 5 km SSW of DeWitt, Michigan M3.5 88 km 5 km
Jun 30, 2015 5 km NNE of Burlington, Michigan M3.3 103 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

278 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 35 fatalities, 812 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Apr 3, 1956 EF5 58 km 58.8 mi 17
Apr 2, 1977 EF4 79 km 16.6 mi 1
Apr 2, 1977 EF4 76 km 12.4 mi 0
Apr 21, 1967 EF4 70 km 12.0 mi 0
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 83 km 21.0 mi 1
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 23 km 20.6 mi 5
Aug 24, 2007 EF3 79 km 6.5 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF3 89 km 2.0 mi 0
May 13, 1980 EF3 74 km 10.6 mi 5
May 13, 1980 EF3 95 km 21.0 mi 0
Apr 23, 1968 EF3 83 km 60.9 mi 0
Apr 21, 1967 EF3 12 km 13.6 mi 0
Apr 11, 1965 EF3 45 km 14.1 mi 0
Apr 11, 1965 EF3 66 km 14.2 mi 0
Apr 3, 1956 EF3 86 km 60.6 mi 0
May 7, 2024 EF2 86 km 10.9 mi 0
Jun 19, 2009 EF2 61 km 5.9 mi 0
Jun 19, 2009 EF2 65 km 0.9 mi 0
May 21, 2001 EF2 68 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 4, 1994 EF2 49 km 0.3 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

4 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ALLEGAN6 (1,077 acres, 1988).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
1988 ALLEGAN6 1,077 53 km
2018 SER 438 / WHITE RIVER 814 73 km
2019 UNNAMED 793 73 km
1994 COUNTY LINE 735 99 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 31°F (-0°C) 2.1 in
February 25°F (-4°C) 1.5 in Coldest, Driest
March 35°F (1°C) 2.5 in
April 46°F (8°C) 3.4 in
May 59°F (15°C) 3.3 in
June 68°F (20°C) 3.6 in
July 72°F (22°C) 3.2 in Warmest
August 70°F (21°C) 3.8 in
September 62°F (17°C) 4.3 in Wettest
October 51°F (10°C) 2.9 in
November 39°F (4°C) 3.3 in
December 28°F (-2°C) 2.8 in

Grand Rapids has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 25°F in February to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.5 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (1.5").

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