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Weather & Climate in Sparta, MI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sparta experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 38.5 inches. The area receives 48.0 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 767 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 47.1°F |
| 13% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 260 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 767 ft (234 m) |
| Area | 2.5 sq mi (6.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,671/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.1567°N, 85.7110°W |
| Timezone | America/Detroit |
| County | Kent County County |
| Nearest Airport | Gerald R Ford International (GRR) 21 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 92.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 17.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 96.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3 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 | 105 km | 4 km |
| Sep 2, 1994 | 5 km SSW of DeWitt, Michigan | M3.5 | 99 km | 5 km |
| Jun 30, 2015 | 5 km NNE of Burlington, Michigan | M3.3 | 125 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
253 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 35 fatalities, 758 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1956 | EF5 | 70 km | 58.8 mi | 17 |
| Apr 2, 1977 | EF4 | 99 km | 16.6 mi | 1 |
| Apr 2, 1977 | EF4 | 98 km | 12.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF4 | 78 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 23 km | 20.6 mi | 5 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 93 km | 21.0 mi | 1 |
| Aug 24, 2007 | EF3 | 96 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 1980 | EF3 | 95 km | 10.6 mi | 5 |
| Apr 23, 1968 | EF3 | 63 km | 60.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF3 | 29 km | 13.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF3 | 88 km | 14.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF3 | 66 km | 14.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 2009 | EF2 | 87 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 2009 | EF2 | 80 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2001 | EF2 | 90 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1994 | EF2 | 52 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1991 | EF2 | 79 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 27, 1989 | EF2 | 74 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1989 | EF2 | 93 km | 10.2 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1989 | EF2 | 90 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
6 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ALLEGAN6 (1,077 acres, 1988).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1988 | ALLEGAN6 | 1,077 | 70 km |
| 2018 | SER 438 / WHITE RIVER | 814 | 53 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 793 | 53 km |
| 1994 | COUNTY LINE | 735 | 77 km |
| 2019 | BALDWIN FUELS UNITS 1/2/6AB | 619 | 82 km |
| 2024 | WHELAN LAKE BLOCK 1 PARTIAL 1 RX | 512 | 91 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F (-5°C) | 2.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 24°F (-4°C) | 1.4 in | Driest |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 2.5 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 3.2 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 2.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (20°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 2.8 in |
Sparta has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 23°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.4 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (1.4").