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Weather & Climate in Michigan City, IN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Michigan City experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 275 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 42.6 inches. The area receives 65.2 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 646 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-4°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 50.0°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 646 ft (197 m) |
| Area | 20.6 sq mi (53.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,546/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.7088°N, 86.8669°W |
| Timezone | America/Indiana/Indianapolis |
| County | Berrien County County |
| Nearest Airport | Porter County Regional (VPZ) 19 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 81.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 44.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 98.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
6 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 | 133 km | 4 km |
| Feb 10, 2010 | 2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois | M3.8 | 138 km | 10 km |
| Nov 4, 2013 | 1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois | M3.2 | 80 km | 1 km |
| Jan 26, 2012 | 5 km NE of Topeka, Indiana | M3.0 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Mar 25, 2015 | 3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois | M2.9 | 135 km | 6 km |
| Jun 10, 2013 | 4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois | M2.6 | 140 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
445 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 124 fatalities, 1,714 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 13, 1976 | EF4 | 94 km | 3.3 mi | 2 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF4 | 80 km | 15.0 mi | 33 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 70 km | 21.2 mi | 31 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 57 km | 37.0 mi | 36 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 97 km | 21.6 mi | 5 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF3 | 74 km | 20.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 24, 2001 | EF3 | 38 km | 47.0 mi | 1 |
| May 13, 1980 | EF3 | 78 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1976 | EF3 | 9 km | 12.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1976 | EF3 | 51 km | 12.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1974 | EF3 | 66 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 24, 1967 | EF3 | 34 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 26, 1965 | EF3 | 31 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 12, 1965 | EF3 | 54 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF3 | 47 km | 35.6 mi | 10 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF3 | 49 km | 33.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 1962 | EF3 | 47 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 1962 | EF3 | 29 km | 36.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1957 | EF3 | 85 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 1956 | EF3 | 74 km | 23.4 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 | 2 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
4 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,602 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,602 | 99 km |
| 1986 | OGDEN DUNS | 863 | 31 km |
| 2021 | 21-INDU TOLLESTON DUNES EAST | 594 | 30 km |
| 2017 | 17 INDU COWLES DUNES | 522 | 21 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-4°C) | 2.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.7 in | Driest |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 3.5 in | |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 3.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 42°F (6°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 31°F (-0°C) | 2.8 in |
Michigan City has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 24°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 38.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (1.7").