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Weather & Climate in Sterling Heights, MI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sterling Heights experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 253 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 38.1 inches. The area receives 27.0 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 617 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 51.2°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 253 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 617 ft (188 m) |
| Area | 36.8 sq mi (95.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,662/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.5812°N, 83.0303°W |
| Timezone | America/Detroit |
| County | Oakland County County |
| Nearest Airport | Oakland County International (PTK) 21 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 97.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 16.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 90.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Very High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
13 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 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Apr 20, 2018 | Michigan | M3.4 | 52 km | 3 km |
| Feb 23, 2011 | 18 km NE of Leamington, Canada | M3.0 | 68 km | 5 km |
| Apr 12, 2007 | 11 km NW of Put-in-Bay, Ohio | M2.8 | 96 km | 5 km |
| May 14, 2010 | 1 km ENE of Gibsonburg, Ohio | M2.7 | 134 km | 5 km |
| May 20, 2023 | 3 km SSE of Walbridge, Ohio | M2.6 | 120 km | 6 km |
| May 14, 2017 | 18 km ENE of Leamington, Canada | M2.6 | 71 km | 5 km |
| Mar 18, 2024 | 4 km WSW of Millbury, Ohio | M2.5 | 120 km | 6 km |
| Sep 7, 2012 | 17 km ESE of Stony Point, Michigan | M2.5 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Mar 8, 2010 | 7 km ENE of Grosse Ile, Michigan | M2.5 | 47 km | 18 km |
| Feb 7, 2016 | 6 km W of Put-in-Bay, Ohio | M2.5 | 104 km | 5 km |
| May 23, 2022 | 2 km NNW of Corunna, Canada | M2.5 | 60 km | 5 km |
| Feb 17, 2013 | 31 km E of Leamington, Canada | M2.5 | 91 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
296 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 146 fatalities, 1,656 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 8, 1953 | EF5 | 88 km | 18.9 mi | 116 |
| Mar 20, 1976 | EF4 | 33 km | 3.8 mi | 1 |
| May 8, 1964 | EF4 | 19 km | 3.3 mi | 11 |
| Jul 4, 1957 | EF4 | 58 km | 29.9 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1956 | EF4 | 71 km | 6.6 mi | 3 |
| May 12, 1956 | EF4 | 40 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1953 | EF4 | 100 km | 5.4 mi | 4 |
| Jun 8, 1953 | EF4 | 64 km | 33.8 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1953 | EF4 | 52 km | 10.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 15, 2012 | EF3 | 79 km | 7.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1997 | EF3 | 86 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1997 | EF3 | 82 km | 1.7 mi | 1 |
| Sep 14, 1990 | EF3 | 38 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 2, 1984 | EF3 | 72 km | 15.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 1984 | EF3 | 72 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1983 | EF3 | 16 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1976 | EF3 | 14 km | 17.1 mi | 1 |
| Jul 14, 1974 | EF3 | 67 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1974 | EF3 | 82 km | 0.9 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 96 km | 0.3 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 | — | 77 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 1.7 in | |
| February | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.7 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 2.5 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 2.9 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 2.8 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 3.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.2 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 2.2 in | |
| November | 40°F (5°C) | 2.7 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 2.6 in |
Sterling Heights has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 26°F in February to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.4") and February the driest (1.7").