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Weather & Climate in Portage, MI

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

Portage 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 860 feet.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.5°F
8% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Geography

Elevation860 ft (262 m)
Area35.2 sq mi (91.1 km²)
Population Density1,521/sq mi
Coordinates42.1971°N, 85.5914°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
CountyKalamazoo County County
Nearest AirportKalamazoo/Battle Creek International (AZO)
3 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 33.2"
13% below US avg
Wettest Month (Sep) 3.98"
Driest Month (Feb) 1.61"

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score81.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability18.5 / 100
Community Resilience91.5 / 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 14 km 4 km
Sep 2, 1994 5 km SSW of DeWitt, Michigan M3.5 105 km 5 km
Jun 30, 2015 5 km NNE of Burlington, Michigan M3.3 45 km 5 km
Jan 26, 2012 5 km NE of Topeka, Indiana M3.0 70 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

388 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 156 fatalities, 2,221 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Apr 3, 1956 EF5 72 km 58.8 mi 17
Apr 2, 1977 EF4 10 km 12.4 mi 0
Apr 2, 1977 EF4 54 km 16.6 mi 1
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 63 km 90.3 mi 23
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 85 km 37.0 mi 36
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 85 km 21.2 mi 31
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 66 km 80.5 mi 21
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 65 km 21.6 mi 5
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 95 km 20.6 mi 5
Aug 24, 2007 EF3 76 km 6.5 mi 0
Oct 24, 2001 EF3 95 km 47.0 mi 1
Mar 27, 1991 EF3 98 km 5.0 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF3 60 km 2.0 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF3 86 km 21.0 mi 1
May 15, 1986 EF3 59 km 1.2 mi 0
May 13, 1980 EF3 16 km 10.6 mi 5
May 13, 1980 EF3 52 km 21.0 mi 0
Apr 3, 1974 EF3 87 km 36.2 mi 5
Apr 21, 1967 EF3 80 km 13.6 mi 0
Nov 26, 1965 EF3 93 km 1.0 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 7 120 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 56 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 26°F (-3°C) 1.6 in Driest
March 36°F (2°C) 2.4 in
April 47°F (9°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) 3.8 in Warmest
August 70°F (21°C) 3.6 in
September 63°F (17°C) 4.0 in Wettest
October 51°F (11°C) 2.9 in
November 39°F (4°C) 2.8 in
December 28°F (-2°C) 2.7 in

Portage has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 25°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.4 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.0") and February the driest (1.6").

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