Weather & Climate in Harper Woods, MI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Harper Woods experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 29.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 27.9 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. 71% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 592 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 50.5°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 592 ft (180 m) |
| Area | 2.6 sq mi (6.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 5,781/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.4390°N, 82.9293°W |
| Timezone | America/Detroit |
| County | Macomb County County |
| Nearest Airport | Detroit Metro Wayne County (DTW) 27 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 70.8% |
| Unhealthy Days | 3 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 96.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 27.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 80.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Very High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
24 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| Jun 10, 2019 | 1 km NW of Timberlake, Ohio | M4.0 | 148 km | 2 km |
| Sep 2, 1994 | 5 km SSW of DeWitt, Michigan | M3.5 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Apr 20, 2018 | Michigan | M3.4 | 36 km | 3 km |
| Jan 9, 2008 | 6 km WNW of Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio | M3.1 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Mar 11, 2006 | 8 km NNW of Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio | M3.1 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Feb 23, 2011 | 18 km NE of Leamington, Canada | M3.0 | 52 km | 5 km |
| Apr 12, 2007 | 11 km NW of Put-in-Bay, Ohio | M2.8 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2022 | 3 km NW of Timberlake, Ohio | M2.8 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Sep 22, 1999 | 16 km NW of Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio | M2.8 | 138 km | 18 km |
| Apr 28, 2002 | Ohio | M2.7 | 144 km | 5 km |
| May 14, 2010 | 1 km ENE of Gibsonburg, Ohio | M2.7 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Mar 8, 2013 | 5 km NNW of Timberlake, Ohio | M2.7 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Jun 10, 2010 | 8 km NW of Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio | M2.6 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 2006 | 10 km NW of Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio | M2.6 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Feb 10, 2006 | 6 km NW of Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio | M2.6 | 147 km | 5 km |
| May 14, 2017 | 18 km ENE of Leamington, Canada | M2.6 | 54 km | 5 km |
| May 20, 2023 | 3 km SSE of Walbridge, Ohio | M2.6 | 109 km | 6 km |
| Feb 17, 2013 | 31 km E of Leamington, Canada | M2.5 | 75 km | 5 km |
| May 23, 2022 | 2 km NNW of Corunna, Canada | M2.5 | 65 km | 5 km |
| Mar 8, 2010 | 7 km ENE of Grosse Ile, Michigan | M2.5 | 33 km | 18 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
266 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 30 fatalities, 808 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 20, 1976 | EF4 | 41 km | 3.8 mi | 1 |
| May 8, 1964 | EF4 | 27 km | 3.3 mi | 11 |
| Jul 4, 1957 | EF4 | 66 km | 29.9 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1956 | EF4 | 32 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1956 | EF4 | 88 km | 6.6 mi | 3 |
| Jun 8, 1953 | EF4 | 82 km | 33.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1953 | EF4 | 90 km | 5.4 mi | 4 |
| May 21, 1953 | EF4 | 60 km | 10.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 15, 2012 | EF3 | 85 km | 7.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1997 | EF3 | 100 km | 1.7 mi | 1 |
| Sep 14, 1990 | EF3 | 45 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 2, 1984 | EF3 | 86 km | 15.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 1984 | EF3 | 89 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1983 | EF3 | 2 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1976 | EF3 | 29 km | 17.1 mi | 1 |
| Jul 14, 1974 | EF3 | 85 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1974 | EF3 | 88 km | 0.9 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 86 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 1972 | EF3 | 46 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1969 | EF3 | 64 km | 13.9 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.5 m (5 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1952 | LAKE HURON, MI | Avalanche | 1.5 m | - | 85 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.4 in | Driest |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 2.8 in | |
| May | 60°F (15°C) | 3.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 3.1 in | |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 3.1 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 3.1 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 2.3 in | |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 2.2 in | |
| December | 32°F (-0°C) | 1.7 in |
Harper Woods has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 26°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 29.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.5") and February the driest (1.4").