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Weather & Climate in Sanford, MI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sanford experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 33.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 637 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 48.0°F |
| 11% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 260 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 637 ft (194 m) |
| Area | 1.6 sq mi (4.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 585/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.6782°N, 84.3855°W |
| Timezone | America/Detroit |
| County | Midland County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mbs International (MBS) 18 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 72.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 33.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 95.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | 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: M3.5.
| Sep 2, 1994 | 5 km SSW of DeWitt, Michigan | M3.5 | 100 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
291 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 128 fatalities, 1,119 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 8, 1953 | EF5 | 78 km | 18.9 mi | 116 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF4 | 90 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 95 km | 21.0 mi | 1 |
| May 12, 1956 | EF4 | 95 km | 6.6 mi | 3 |
| Jul 2, 1997 | EF3 | 78 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1997 | EF3 | 83 km | 1.7 mi | 1 |
| Jun 21, 1996 | EF3 | 64 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF3 | 80 km | 35.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF3 | 93 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 1984 | EF3 | 94 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1984 | EF3 | 38 km | 48.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 30, 1976 | EF3 | 75 km | 6.4 mi | 1 |
| Mar 30, 1976 | EF3 | 52 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 1974 | EF3 | 97 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1968 | EF3 | 88 km | 60.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 14, 2019 | EF2 | 95 km | 18.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2015 | EF2 | 70 km | 11.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 2012 | EF2 | 98 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1999 | EF2 | 13 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1995 | EF2 | 54 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
17 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MERIDIAN BOUNDARY COMPLEX (MERIDIAN ROAD) (7,478 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | MERIDIAN BOUNDARY COMPLEX (MERIDIAN ROAD) | 7,478 | 97 km |
| 2021 | BRITTLE | 5,912 | 100 km |
| 2006 | HUGHES LAKE FIRE | 5,285 | 96 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,759 | 98 km |
| 2018 | BRITTLE 04/30/2018 | 3,484 | 97 km |
| 2005 | ROSCOMMON4 | 2,109 | 64 km |
| 1987 | OGEMAW22 | 1,952 | 92 km |
| 2017 | BRITTLE 20 AND 23 RX | 1,557 | 97 km |
| 1988 | OGEMAW13 | 1,547 | 87 km |
| 1998 | OGEMAW16 | 1,391 | 88 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,276 | 99 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,168 | 97 km |
| 2010 | BRITTLE FUELS BLOCK 10 | 1,076 | 99 km |
| 1995 | OGEMAW10 | 856 | 91 km |
| 1990 | CRAWFORD16 | 777 | 98 km |
| 2007 | GALION | 637 | 97 km |
| 2019 | CORSAIR BLOCK 8 | 541 | 100 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.5 in | |
| February | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.2 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 32°F (0°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 2.6 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 2.8 in | |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 3.0 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 2.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 60°F (15°C) | 3.7 in | Wettest |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 2.5 in | |
| December | 26°F (-3°C) | 2.1 in |
Sanford has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 23°F in February to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 30.2 inches, with September being the wettest month (3.7") and February the driest (1.2").