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Weather & Climate in Tower, MI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Tower has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°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 32.0 inches. The area receives 86.9 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 748 feet.
Temperature
19°F Jan (-7°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 44.5°F |
| 18% below US avg | |
| January Average | 19°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 270 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 748 ft (228 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 502/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.3518°N, 84.2937°W |
| Timezone | America/Detroit |
| County | Cheboygan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Pellston Regional/Emmet County (PLN) 29 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 59.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 83.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 79.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
84 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 fatalities, 64 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 20, 2022 | EF3 | 62 km | 17.5 mi | 2 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF3 | 99 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1974 | EF3 | 70 km | 11.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1953 | EF3 | 88 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF2 | 47 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF2 | 70 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF2 | 79 km | 11.6 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1995 | EF2 | 88 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1977 | EF2 | 84 km | 19.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 30, 1976 | EF2 | 97 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1975 | EF2 | 75 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1964 | EF2 | 33 km | 17.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1957 | EF2 | 30 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2014 | EF1 | 52 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2014 | EF1 | 83 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2014 | EF1 | 76 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 2012 | EF1 | 87 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2008 | EF1 | 85 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF1 | 8 km | 10.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF1 | 71 km | 3.2 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 | 90 km |
| 1990 | CRAWFORD15 | 6,868 | 75 km |
| 2006 | HUGHES LAKE FIRE | 5,285 | 90 km |
| 2000 | NO PABLO | 5,266 | 89 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 4,059 | 61 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 4,020 | 61 km |
| 2022 | BLUE LAKES | 2,554 | 20 km |
| 1987 | OGEMAW22 | 1,952 | 96 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,844 | 60 km |
| 1988 | OGEMAW13 | 1,547 | 100 km |
| 2024 | RANGE 30 24-03 RX | 1,523 | 75 km |
| 1985 | CRAWFORD45 | 1,412 | 60 km |
| 1998 | OGEMAW16 | 1,391 | 98 km |
| 2008 | FOUR MILE | 1,348 | 86 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,267 | 95 km |
| 2010 | MERIDIAN BOUNDARY COMPLEX (RANGE 9) | 1,202 | 93 km |
| 2012 | LITTLE MACK LAKE | 875 | 87 km |
| 1995 | OGEMAW10 | 856 | 96 km |
| 2011 | HOWES LAKE | 839 | 83 km |
| 1990 | CRAWFORD16 | 777 | 93 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°F (-7°C) | 1.8 in | |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 1.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 28°F (-2°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 2.3 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 2.8 in | |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 3.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 3.8 in | Wettest |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 2.5 in | |
| December | 24°F (-4°C) | 2.2 in |
Tower has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 19°F in February to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 30.4 inches, with September being the wettest month (3.8") and February the driest (1.3").