Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Shields experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 34.5 inches. The area receives 38.3 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 603 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
47.6°F
12% below US avg
January Average
23°F (-5°C)
July Average
71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
260 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
603 ft (184 m)
Area
6.6 sq mi (17.1 km²)
Population Density
923/sq mi
Coordinates
43.4229°N, 84.0741°W
Timezone
America/Detroit
County
Saginaw County County
Nearest Airport
Mbs International (MBS) 8 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall34.5"
9% below US avg
Snowfall38.3"
Wettest Month (Sep)3.98"
Driest Month (Feb)1.18"
Air Quality
AQI Median
38.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
88.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability
46.9 / 100
Community Resilience
93.2 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
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
Very High
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
No Rating
Cold Wave
Relatively High
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.5.
Sep 2, 1994
5 km SSW of DeWitt, Michigan
M3.5
82 km
5 km
May 23, 2022
2 km NNW of Corunna, Canada
M2.5
144 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
325 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 130 fatalities, 1,130 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jun 8, 1953
EF5
40 km
18.9 mi
116
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
80 km
12.0 mi
0
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
79 km
21.0 mi
1
May 12, 1956
EF4
57 km
6.6 mi
3
Jun 8, 1953
EF4
79 km
33.8 mi
0
Jul 2, 1997
EF3
46 km
1.7 mi
1
Jul 2, 1997
EF3
40 km
2.0 mi
0
Jun 21, 1996
EF3
28 km
1.0 mi
0
Aug 8, 1984
EF3
56 km
0.8 mi
0
Jun 12, 1984
EF3
21 km
48.0 mi
0
Mar 30, 1976
EF3
80 km
11.4 mi
0
Mar 30, 1976
EF3
95 km
6.4 mi
1
Jul 14, 1974
EF3
59 km
1.0 mi
0
Jun 8, 1953
EF3
99 km
9.1 mi
0
Feb 28, 2024
EF2
65 km
5.7 mi
0
Aug 24, 2023
EF2
88 km
12.0 mi
2
Mar 14, 2019
EF2
67 km
18.2 mi
0
Jun 22, 2015
EF2
33 km
11.3 mi
0
May 28, 2013
EF2
68 km
5.1 mi
0
May 28, 2013
EF2
71 km
4.6 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
Highest wave on record: 1.5 m (5 ft).
Year
Location
Cause
Max Wave
Deaths
Distance
1952
LAKE HURON, MI
Avalanche
1.5 m
—
140 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: ROSCOMMON4 (2,109 acres, 2005).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2005
ROSCOMMON4
2,109
100 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
23°F (-5°C)
1.5 in
Coldest
February
23°F (-5°C)
1.2 in
Driest
March
33°F (1°C)
2.2 in
April
45°F (7°C)
2.7 in
May
57°F (14°C)
2.8 in
June
66°F (19°C)
3.2 in
July
71°F (22°C)
2.4 in
Warmest
August
68°F (20°C)
3.4 in
September
61°F (16°C)
4.0 in
Wettest
October
50°F (10°C)
2.5 in
November
38°F (3°C)
2.6 in
December
27°F (-3°C)
2.0 in
Shields has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 23°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 30.4 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.0") and February the driest (1.2").
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