All Countries
Weather & Climate in Sterling, MI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sterling has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 68°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 33.6 inches. The area receives 53.0 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 744 feet.
Temperature
19°F Jan (-7°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 44.3°F |
| 18% below US avg | |
| January Average | 19°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 270 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 744 ft (227 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 448/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.0328°N, 84.0186°W |
| Timezone | America/Detroit |
| County | Ogemaw County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mbs International (MBS) 35 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 37.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 85.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 49.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively 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 | 145 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
200 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 6 fatalities, 70 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 2, 1997 | EF3 | 99 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1996 | EF3 | 81 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF3 | 50 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF3 | 33 km | 35.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1984 | EF3 | 51 km | 48.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 30, 1976 | EF3 | 27 km | 6.4 mi | 1 |
| Mar 30, 1976 | EF3 | 19 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1953 | EF3 | 98 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 2021 | EF2 | 78 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2015 | EF2 | 89 km | 11.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF2 | 71 km | 11.6 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1999 | EF2 | 46 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1995 | EF2 | 13 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1995 | EF2 | 60 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1993 | EF2 | 16 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF2 | 31 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF2 | 90 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1984 | EF2 | 82 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1982 | EF2 | 82 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1982 | EF2 | 98 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 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 | 67 km |
| 1990 | CRAWFORD15 | 6,868 | 84 km |
| 2021 | BRITTLE | 5,912 | 50 km |
| 2006 | HUGHES LAKE FIRE | 5,285 | 60 km |
| 2000 | NO PABLO | 5,266 | 61 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 4,020 | 99 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,759 | 49 km |
| 2018 | BRITTLE 04/30/2018 | 3,484 | 48 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,349 | 53 km |
| 2005 | ROSCOMMON4 | 2,109 | 52 km |
| 1987 | OGEMAW22 | 1,952 | 53 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,796 | 53 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,751 | 66 km |
| 1984 | RIVER ROAD | 1,693 | 66 km |
| 2017 | BRITTLE 20 AND 23 RX | 1,557 | 48 km |
| 1988 | OGEMAW13 | 1,547 | 51 km |
| 2024 | RANGE 30 24-03 RX | 1,523 | 89 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,434 | 53 km |
| 1998 | OGEMAW16 | 1,391 | 54 km |
| 2008 | FOUR MILE | 1,348 | 87 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°F (-7°C) | 1.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 21°F (-6°C) | 1.2 in | Driest |
| March | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 2.4 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 3.0 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 2.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 3.7 in | Wettest |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 2.5 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 2.4 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 in |
Sterling has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 19°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 29.5 inches, with September being the wettest month (3.7") and February the driest (1.2").