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Weather & Climate in West Ishpeming, MI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
West Ishpeming has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F (4°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 249 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 30.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 1,482 feet.
Temperature
14°F Jan (-10°C)
65°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 39.8°F |
| 26% below US avg | |
| January Average | 14°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 249 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,482 ft (452 m) |
| Area | 3.0 sq mi (7.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 917/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.4884°N, 87.7171°W |
| Timezone | America/Detroit |
| County | Marquette County County |
| Nearest Airport | Marquette/Sawyer Regional (MQT) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 69.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 53.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 88.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very 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: M2.5.
| Jan 7, 2024 | 3 km NE of Mole Lake, Wisconsin | M2.5 | 145 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
50 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 20 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 11, 1987 | EF3 | 81 km | 71.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1986 | EF3 | 87 km | 24.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1992 | EF2 | 89 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1991 | EF2 | 88 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1981 | EF2 | 57 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 1972 | EF2 | 63 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 22, 1968 | EF2 | 54 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1964 | EF2 | 55 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 1959 | EF2 | 82 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 2022 | EF1 | 90 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 31, 2020 | EF1 | 94 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 2020 | EF1 | 65 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 2020 | EF1 | 97 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 2016 | EF1 | 88 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2016 | EF1 | 11 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2016 | EF1 | 31 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2012 | EF1 | 40 km | 7.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 2002 | EF1 | 79 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 2000 | EF1 | 35 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1998 | EF1 | 84 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
10 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MARQUETTE9 (4,224 acres, 1999).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1999 | MARQUETTE9 | 4,224 | 21 km |
| 1986 | MARQUETTE11 | 3,983 | 35 km |
| 1986 | MARQUETTE13 | 2,491 | 38 km |
| 2007 | BARAGA BUMP | 1,047 | 69 km |
| 2009 | FALLS | 820 | 11 km |
| 2009 | PINERY | 695 | 60 km |
| 1986 | MARQUETTE10 | 671 | 11 km |
| 1984 | UNNAMED | 575 | 92 km |
| 2019 | DUTCH MILL | 551 | 77 km |
| 1986 | MARQUETTE9 | 521 | 17 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°F (-10°C) | 1.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 16°F (-9°C) | 1.3 in | Driest |
| March | 25°F (-4°C) | 2.3 in | |
| April | 37°F (3°C) | 2.4 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 3.0 in | |
| June | 60°F (15°C) | 3.2 in | |
| July | 65°F (19°C) | 3.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 63°F (17°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 55°F (13°C) | 3.7 in | Wettest |
| October | 44°F (6°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.5 in | |
| December | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.9 in |
West Ishpeming has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 14°F in January to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.2 inches, with September being the wettest month (3.7") and February the driest (1.3").