All Countries
Weather & Climate in Houghton Lake, MI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Houghton Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 68°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 32.4 inches. The area receives 74.7 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 1,182 feet.
Temperature
19°F Jan (-7°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 43.9°F |
| 19% below US avg | |
| January Average | 19°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 270 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,182 ft (360 m) |
| Area | 7.5 sq mi (19.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 536/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.3011°N, 84.7499°W |
| Timezone | America/Detroit |
| County | Roscommon County County |
| Nearest Airport | Gaylord Regional (GLR) 49 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 56.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 87.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 69.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
187 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 8 fatalities, 141 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 20, 2022 | EF3 | 76 km | 17.5 mi | 2 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF3 | 62 km | 35.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF3 | 59 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 30, 1976 | EF3 | 46 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 30, 1976 | EF3 | 65 km | 6.4 mi | 1 |
| Jul 3, 1974 | EF3 | 91 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1969 | EF3 | 88 km | 6.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1968 | EF3 | 89 km | 60.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF2 | 56 km | 4.5 mi | 1 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF2 | 52 km | 11.6 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1999 | EF2 | 84 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1995 | EF2 | 54 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1995 | EF2 | 58 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1993 | EF2 | 52 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF2 | 39 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF2 | 44 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1985 | EF2 | 72 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1977 | EF2 | 93 km | 19.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1977 | EF2 | 90 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1976 | EF2 | 50 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MERIDIAN BOUNDARY COMPLEX (MERIDIAN ROAD) (7,478 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | MERIDIAN BOUNDARY COMPLEX (MERIDIAN ROAD) | 7,478 | 37 km |
| 1990 | CRAWFORD15 | 6,868 | 47 km |
| 2021 | BRITTLE | 5,912 | 86 km |
| 2006 | HUGHES LAKE FIRE | 5,285 | 47 km |
| 2000 | NO PABLO | 5,266 | 67 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 4,059 | 62 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 4,020 | 61 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,759 | 82 km |
| 2018 | BRITTLE 04/30/2018 | 3,484 | 81 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,349 | 87 km |
| 2005 | ROSCOMMON4 | 2,109 | 13 km |
| 1987 | OGEMAW22 | 1,952 | 49 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,844 | 63 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,796 | 86 km |
| 2017 | BRITTLE 20 AND 23 RX | 1,557 | 82 km |
| 1988 | OGEMAW13 | 1,547 | 43 km |
| 2024 | RANGE 30 24-03 RX | 1,523 | 48 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,434 | 88 km |
| 1985 | CRAWFORD45 | 1,412 | 62 km |
| 1998 | OGEMAW16 | 1,391 | 40 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°F (-7°C) | 1.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 20°F (-7°C) | 1.2 in | Driest |
| March | 29°F (-2°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 42°F (5°C) | 2.4 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 in | |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 3.0 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 2.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 3.7 in | Wettest |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 2.5 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 2.4 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 2.1 in |
Houghton Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 19°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 29.7 inches, with September being the wettest month (3.7") and February the driest (1.2").