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Weather & Climate in Howard City, MI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Howard City experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 36.7 inches. The area receives 72.9 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 882 feet.
Temperature
22°F Jan (-6°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 47.0°F |
| 13% below US avg | |
| January Average | 22°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 260 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 882 ft (269 m) |
| Area | 2.6 sq mi (6.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 695/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.3933°N, 85.4661°W |
| Timezone | America/Detroit |
| County | Montcalm County County |
| Nearest Airport | Gerald R Ford International (GRR) 36 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 56.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 38.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 74.9 / 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 High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very 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 | 129 km | 4 km |
| Sep 2, 1994 | 5 km SSW of DeWitt, Michigan | M3.5 | 96 km | 5 km |
| Jun 30, 2015 | 5 km NNE of Burlington, Michigan | M3.3 | 143 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
246 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 11 fatalities, 317 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF4 | 75 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 56 km | 20.6 mi | 5 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 90 km | 21.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 23, 1968 | EF3 | 34 km | 60.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF3 | 60 km | 13.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF3 | 84 km | 14.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1994 | EF2 | 45 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1991 | EF2 | 80 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF2 | 75 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 27, 1989 | EF2 | 77 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 1986 | EF2 | 91 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1986 | EF2 | 94 km | 42.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1985 | EF2 | 64 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 1984 | EF2 | 84 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1982 | EF2 | 70 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1982 | EF2 | 95 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1978 | EF2 | 88 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 1977 | EF2 | 100 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1977 | EF2 | 89 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1976 | EF2 | 64 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
7 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SER 438 / WHITE RIVER (814 acres, 2018).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2018 | SER 438 / WHITE RIVER | 814 | 58 km |
| 2003 | WARFIELD ROAD | 800 | 99 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 793 | 58 km |
| 1994 | COUNTY LINE | 735 | 59 km |
| 2019 | BALDWIN FUELS UNITS 1/2/6AB | 619 | 65 km |
| 2021 | WARFIELD | 538 | 99 km |
| 2024 | WHELAN LAKE BLOCK 1 PARTIAL 1 RX | 512 | 79 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°F (-6°C) | 2.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 22°F (-5°C) | 1.5 in | Driest |
| March | 32°F (-0°C) | 2.4 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 56°F (14°C) | 3.1 in | |
| June | 65°F (19°C) | 3.2 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 2.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 4.0 in | Wettest |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 3.1 in | |
| December | 26°F (-3°C) | 2.6 in |
Howard City has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 22°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 34.4 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.0") and February the driest (1.5").