Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Plainwell experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 33.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 732 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average
49.5°F
8% below US avg
January Average
25°F (-4°C)
July Average
73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days
260 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
732 ft (223 m)
Area
2.1 sq mi (5.3 km²)
Population Density
1,810/sq mi
Coordinates
42.4447°N, 85.6423°W
Timezone
America/Detroit
County
Kalamazoo County County
Nearest Airport
Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International (AZO) 15 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall33.2"
13% below US avg
Wettest Month (Sep)4.06"
Driest Month (Feb)1.61"
Air Quality
AQI Median
38.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
81.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability
18.5 / 100
Community Resilience
91.5 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively High
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
No Rating
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 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
29 km
4 km
Sep 2, 1994
5 km SSW of DeWitt, Michigan
M3.5
94 km
5 km
Jun 30, 2015
5 km NNE of Burlington, Michigan
M3.3
59 km
5 km
Jan 26, 2012
5 km NE of Topeka, Indiana
M3.0
97 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
341 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 81 fatalities, 1,469 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 3, 1956
EF5
53 km
58.8 mi
17
Apr 2, 1977
EF4
51 km
16.6 mi
1
Apr 2, 1977
EF4
20 km
12.4 mi
0
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
88 km
12.0 mi
0
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
93 km
21.0 mi
1
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
89 km
80.5 mi
21
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
89 km
90.3 mi
23
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
68 km
20.6 mi
5
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
92 km
21.6 mi
5
Aug 24, 2007
EF3
69 km
6.5 mi
0
Mar 27, 1991
EF3
61 km
2.0 mi
0
May 15, 1986
EF3
80 km
1.2 mi
0
May 13, 1980
EF3
54 km
21.0 mi
0
May 13, 1980
EF3
17 km
10.6 mi
5
Apr 21, 1967
EF3
52 km
13.6 mi
0
Apr 11, 1965
EF3
9 km
14.2 mi
0
Apr 11, 1965
EF3
36 km
14.1 mi
0
Apr 3, 1956
EF3
45 km
60.6 mi
0
Aug 6, 2024
EF2
47 km
8.5 mi
0
May 7, 2024
EF2
28 km
10.9 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
Highest wave on record: 3.0 m (10 ft).
Year
Location
Cause
Max Wave
Deaths
Distance
1954
MICHIGAN CITY, IN (LAKE MICHIGAN)
Avalanche
3.0 m
7
132 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: ALLEGAN6 (1,077 acres, 1988).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1988
ALLEGAN6
1,077
36 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
25°F (-4°C)
2.1 in
Coldest
February
25°F (-4°C)
1.6 in
Driest
March
35°F (2°C)
2.4 in
April
47°F (8°C)
3.4 in
May
59°F (15°C)
3.4 in
June
68°F (20°C)
3.7 in
July
73°F (23°C)
3.6 in
Warmest
August
70°F (21°C)
3.7 in
September
62°F (17°C)
4.1 in
Wettest
October
51°F (10°C)
2.9 in
November
39°F (4°C)
3.0 in
December
28°F (-2°C)
2.8 in
Plainwell has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 25°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.9 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (1.6").
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