Weather & Climate in Hartford, MI

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

Hartford experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.0 inches. The area receives 86.6 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. The city sits at an elevation of 665 feet.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average49.8°F
8% below US avg
January Average27°F (-3°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Geography

Elevation665 ft (203 m)
Area1.3 sq mi (3.4 km²)
Population Density1,700/sq mi
Coordinates42.2050°N, 86.1661°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
CountyVan Buren County County
Nearest AirportSouthwest Michigan Regional (BEH)
14 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 35.0"
8% below US avg
Snowfall 86.6"
Wettest Month (Oct) 4.16"
Driest Month (Feb) 1.60"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score60.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability48.2 / 100
Community Resilience92.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

5 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 61 km 4 km
Sep 2, 1994 5 km SSW of DeWitt, Michigan M3.5 144 km 5 km
Jun 30, 2015 5 km NNE of Burlington, Michigan M3.3 93 km 5 km
Nov 4, 2013 1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois M3.2 144 km 1 km
Jan 26, 2012 5 km NE of Topeka, Indiana M3.0 90 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

330 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 127 fatalities, 1,771 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Apr 3, 1956 EF5 50 km 58.8 mi 17
Apr 2, 1977 EF4 98 km 16.6 mi 1
Apr 2, 1977 EF4 51 km 12.4 mi 0
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 77 km 21.2 mi 31
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 70 km 37.0 mi 36
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 76 km 21.6 mi 5
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 98 km 90.3 mi 23
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 93 km 20.6 mi 5
Oct 24, 2001 EF3 69 km 47.0 mi 1
May 13, 1980 EF3 38 km 10.6 mi 5
May 13, 1980 EF3 5 km 21.0 mi 0
Mar 12, 1976 EF3 87 km 12.6 mi 0
Apr 21, 1967 EF3 84 km 13.6 mi 0
Nov 26, 1965 EF3 63 km 1.0 mi 0
Apr 11, 1965 EF3 87 km 14.1 mi 0
Apr 11, 1965 EF3 50 km 14.2 mi 0
Apr 30, 1962 EF3 66 km 36.5 mi 0
May 6, 1961 EF3 97 km 33.4 mi 0
Apr 3, 1956 EF3 8 km 60.6 mi 0
Aug 6, 2024 EF2 38 km 8.5 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.0 m (10 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1954 MICHIGAN CITY, IN (LAKE MICHIGAN) Avalanche 3.0 m 7 82 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

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

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
1988 ALLEGAN6 1,077 43 km
2017 17 INDU COWLES DUNES 522 100 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 27°F (-3°C) 2.0 in Coldest
February 29°F (-2°C) 1.6 in Driest
March 37°F (3°C) 2.0 in
April 47°F (8°C) 3.3 in
May 58°F (14°C) 3.8 in
June 68°F (20°C) 3.0 in
July 72°F (22°C) 3.2 in Warmest
August 70°F (21°C) 3.6 in
September 63°F (17°C) 3.6 in
October 53°F (11°C) 4.2 in Wettest
November 42°F (5°C) 2.7 in
December 32°F (0°C) 2.0 in

Hartford has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 27°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.0 inches, with October being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (1.6").

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