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Weather & Climate in Rapid River, MI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rapid River has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 67°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 31.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 593 feet.
Temperature
16°F Jan (-9°C)
67°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 42.0°F |
| 22% below US avg | |
| January Average | 16°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 270 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 593 ft (181 m) |
| Area | 1.3 sq mi (3.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 183/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.9264°N, 86.9743°W |
| Timezone | America/Detroit |
| County | Delta County County |
| Nearest Airport | Marquette/Sawyer Regional (MQT) 33 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 53.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 65.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 90.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.9.
| Aug 2, 2024 | 38 km ESE of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin | M2.9 | 139 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
53 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 fatalities, 20 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 28, 1991 | EF3 | 77 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1987 | EF3 | 72 km | 71.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1986 | EF3 | 82 km | 24.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1992 | EF2 | 9 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1991 | EF2 | 67 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 1984 | EF2 | 65 km | 27.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1981 | EF2 | 94 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 1972 | EF2 | 22 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1964 | EF2 | 51 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 1959 | EF2 | 81 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2024 | EF1 | 64 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 2022 | EF1 | 69 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 31, 2020 | EF1 | 25 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 2020 | EF1 | 98 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 2016 | EF1 | 59 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2016 | EF1 | 87 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 2011 | EF1 | 98 km | 7.9 mi | 1 |
| Jun 7, 2007 | EF1 | 95 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 2002 | EF1 | 86 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 2000 | EF1 | 64 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MARQUETTE9 (4,224 acres, 1999).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1999 | MARQUETTE9 | 4,224 | 100 km |
| 1986 | MARQUETTE11 | 3,983 | 51 km |
| 1987 | EIGHT MILE | 3,475 | 50 km |
| 2009 | SEDGE MEADOW | 2,680 | 77 km |
| 1986 | MARQUETTE13 | 2,491 | 47 km |
| 2004 | 2004 MARSH CREEK | 1,977 | 74 km |
| 2011 | 8/4-8/6 M-2 NORTH | 1,918 | 81 km |
| 1995 | OGEMAW10 | 1,212 | 78 km |
| 2007 | EAST SEDGE MARSH BURNING-1 | 1,117 | 82 km |
| 1987 | SCHOOLCRAFT7 | 943 | 88 km |
| 1994 | H POOL | 914 | 86 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 831 | 86 km |
| 2009 | FALLS | 820 | 81 km |
| 1986 | MARQUETTE10 | 671 | 82 km |
| 2008 | C 3 | 658 | 77 km |
| 2006 | MARSH LANDS 2006 RX | 635 | 83 km |
| 1984 | UNNAMED | 575 | 52 km |
| 2019 | DUTCH MILL | 551 | 13 km |
| 1986 | MARQUETTE9 | 521 | 95 km |
| 2009 | MARSH CREEK SOUTH WEDGE | 510 | 73 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°F (-9°C) | 1.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.1 in | Driest |
| March | 27°F (-3°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 39°F (4°C) | 2.2 in | |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 2.8 in | |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 3.2 in | |
| July | 67°F (19°C) | 3.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 3.6 in | Wettest |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 2.8 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 2.5 in | |
| December | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.9 in |
Rapid River has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 16°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 30.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.6") and February the driest (1.1").