Rapid has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 81°, a January night drops to 15°, and about 132 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Rapid at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Rapid’s climate
Read from where Rapid sits among Michigan’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
132 inches of snow, 33 of rain and melt
October is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 148 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Rapid averaged 2.1° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in February (+3.5°).
A bigger shift than in 96% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
What a year in Rapid feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
About 155 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 12 and the first by October 16.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with Rapid’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
155 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 12 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Oct 16.
About 132" a winter over 45 days with an inch or more, most in January. Snow covers the ground about 120 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through May. Heating is 93% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 9 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 81°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August and September. 5.5 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →Rapid and its neighbors
Clearwater has the coldest January nights next door (14°) and Clearwater the hottest July afternoons (81°). Tap a town to see its climate.
Temperatures and rain come from NOAA’s 5 km grid, so each town gets its own value. Snow and frost-free days come from the nearest weather station, so neighbors often share them.
How Rapid compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Michigan.
Rapid weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29° | 15° | 2.2" | 38.3" | 17 | 30 | 11° – 31° |
| February | 31° | 15° | 1.4" | 24.8" | 12 | 28 | 8° – 33° |
| March | 41° | 22° | 1.8" | 13.7" | 10 | 23 | 21° – 46° |
| April | 54° | 31° | 2.9" | 6.8" | 11 | 4 | 34° – 49° |
| May | 67° | 42° | 3.2" | 0.7" | 12 | 0 | 47° – 61° |
| June | 77° | 52° | 3.0" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 60° – 70° |
| July | 81° | 57° | 2.8" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 63° – 74° |
| August | 79° | 56° | 3.1" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 63° – 72° |
| September | 72° | 49° | 3.6" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 55° – 66° |
| October | 58° | 40° | 4.2" | 1.0" | 15 | 1 | 44° – 55° |
| November | 45° | 30° | 2.8" | 17.1" | 15 | 10 | 30° – 45° |
| December | 34° | 22° | 2.4" | 29.7" | 16 | 24 | 20° – 38° |
| Year | 56° | 36° | 33.2" | 132.1" | 148 | 120 |
Heating and cooling a home in Rapid
93% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. March swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 21° to 46°. August is the most reliable, staying within 9°.
Common questions about Rapid’s climate
What is the coldest month in Rapid?
February, with a typical high of 31° and a low of 15°.
What is the hottest month in Rapid?
July, with a typical high of 81° and a low of 57°. About 9 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Rapid get?
About 132 inches in a normal winter, most of it in January.
When is the first frost in Rapid?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 16, and the last spring frost by May 12.
What is the rainiest month in Rapid?
October, with 4.2 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 33 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Rapid.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Rapid itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Kalkaska, MI (10 mi, snow) and Traverse City Cherry Cptl Airport, MI (16 mi, frost, heat and degree days). Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.