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South Range Community BuildingSouth Range Community Building · Photo: Andrew Jameson · CC BY-SA 3.0
Climate in Adams Township · NOAA 1991–2020 normals

Hardly any U.S. towns see fresher July days than Adams Township

The coldest hours of a January night bottom out at 7° on average. In January, nights here are colder than in 97% of U.S. towns. Since 1901–2000, the year has warmed by 1.7°, most of all in December. Keep the boiler serviced for the months from October to April, which average under 50°.

Colder January nights than 97% of U.S. towns#12 coldest of 691 in MI
Cooler July afternoons than 98% of U.S. towns#11Coolest summers  of 691 in MI
All MI rankings →

A year in Adams Township at a glance

Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.

Jan21°7°
Feb25°6°
Mar36°14°
Apr48°27°
May63°39° Last frost ~May 17
Jun72°49° 1 day 90°+
Jul77°54° 1 day 90°+
Aug75°52°
Sep67°46° Wettest
Oct53°34° First frost ~Oct 1
Nov now38°23°
Dec26°14°

What stands out about Adams Township’s climate

Compared with towns across the U.S., with Adams Township’s place in Michigan beside it.

A normal year

What a year in Adams Township feels like

Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.

Winter
24° / 9°
Snow is rare
Spring
49° / 27°
Last frost around May 17
Summer
74° / 52°
2 days reach 90°
Fall
52° / 35°
First frost around Oct 1
Best months to be outsideJunJulAugSepHighs of 62–84° and lows of 40° or more
Frost, heat & the growing season

About 138 frost-free days a year

In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 17 and the first by October 1. Frost and day counts come from NOAA’s station at Hancock Houghton Co Airport, 12 miles from the town’s center, 190 ft lower.

175
nights at or below 32° in a normal year
38th most of 691 in Michigan
More freezing nights than 97% of U.S. towns
17
nights at or below 0°
48th most of 691 in Michigan
More nights at or below 0° than 92% of U.S. towns
2
days that reach 90°
15th fewest of 691 in Michigan
Fewer 90° days than 96% of U.S. towns
0
days that reach 100°
None in a normal year
5aUSDA zone
Plant hardiness zone 5a

The 2023 USDA map puts Adams Township’s center in zone 5a: the coldest night of a typical winter, averaged over 1991–2020, reaches about −15°. Plant labels use the zone; frost dates tell you when to plant.

Freezing nights by month

Average nights at or below 32°

31
JFMAMJJASOND

90° days by month

Average days at 90° or more

0.8
JFMAMJJASOND
Rain & snow

About 31 inches of rain a year

September is the wettest month and February the driest.

31"
Rain + melted snow a year
15th driest of 691 in Michigan
Drier than 85% of U.S. towns

Rain + melted snow by month

Inches of water

3.5"
JFMAMJJASOND
Heating & cooling

Heating and cooling a home in Adams Township

98% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner. Months averaging under 55° run from October through May.

9,013 heating degree daysMore heating than all but 117 U.S. towns
206 cooling degree daysLess cooling than 97% of U.S. towns

Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. NOAA normals at Hancock Houghton Co Airport.

Living here

Living with Adams Township’s climate

What the numbers mean for a garden, a free afternoon and a bad-weather day.

The garden window

138 frost-free days in zone 5a. The last frost comes by May 17 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 1.

Get outside

Months with highs of 62–84° and lows of 40° or more: June, July, August and September. 117 miles of trails are waiting.

Parks & trails →
Storms and extremes

Of the yearly building losses FEMA expects in Adams Township from natural hazards, river flooding is the largest share (62%); heat waves, cold waves, winter storms and ice storms together are 29%. Normals are averages; the hazards page covers the extremes.

Natural hazards →
Next door

Adams Township and its neighbors

Houghton the hottest July afternoons (78°, 1° warmer). Differences under a degree are within what the 5 km grid can tell apart. Tap a town to see its climate.

Chassell Township: January low 9°, July high 77°Hancock: January low 8°, July high 77°Hurontown: January low 8°, July high 78°Torch Lake Township: January low 12°, July high 75°Baraga Township: January low 8°, July high 78°Laird Township: January low 6°, July high 78°Franklin Township: January low 8°, July high 77°Dollar Bay: January low 8°, July high 77°Bohemia Township: January low 6°, July high 77°Quincy Township: January low 8°, July high 77°Calumet Township: January low 9°, July high 76°Portage Township: January low 7°, July high 78°Houghton: January low 8°, July high 78°Stanton Township: January low 8°, July high 76°Hancock Township: January low 9°, July high 76°Elm River Township: January low 6°, July high 77°Adams Township: January low 7°, July high 77°Adams TownshipPortage TownshipHoughtonStanton TownshipHancock TownshipElm River Township
ColderMilder6° to 12°
Elm River Township6.2° about the same
Adams Township6.7°
Portage Township7.2° about the same
Houghton7.7° +1.0°
Stanton Township8.2° +1.5°
Hancock Township9.2° +2.5°

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.

Then and now

Warmer than it used to be

The last 30 years in Adams Township averaged 1.7° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+3.1°).

+1.7°1991–2020 vs. 1901–2000

A bigger shift than in 72% of U.S. towns.

Winter+2.9°now 17°, was 14°
Spring+1.2°now 38°, was 37°
Summer+1.2°now 63°, was 62°
Fall+1.5°now 43°, was 42°

Change by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The two periods overlap (1991–2000 is in both), which makes the gap a little smaller than it would be between separate periods.

Compared with other towns

How Adams Township compares

Against 12,954 U.S. towns of 2,500 or more (one per 5 km climate cell), with Adams Township’s place among Michigan’s.

Summer heat77° July high
Cooler July afternoons than 98% of U.S. towns11th coolest of 691 in Michigan
Winter cold7° January low
Colder January nights than 97% of U.S. towns12th coldest of 691 in Michigan
Precipitation31" a year
Drier than 85% of U.S. towns15th driest of 691 in Michigan
Hot days2 days at 90°+
Fewer 90° days than 96% of U.S. towns15th fewest of 691 in Michigan
Freezing nights175 a year
More freezing nights than 97% of U.S. towns38th most of 691 in Michigan
Growing season138 frost-free days
A shorter frost-free season than 97% of U.S. towns70th shortest of 691 in Michigan
Month by month

Adams Township weather by month

Highs, lows and precipitation from NOAA’s grid at Adams Township’s center. 1991–2020 normals.

MonthHighLowRain + melt30-yr range
January21°7°2.0"2° – 24°
February25°6°1.3"2° – 28°
March36°14°1.5"15° – 39°
April48°27°2.4"31° – 45°
May63°39°3.1"45° – 57°
June72°49°3.2"57° – 66°
July77°54°3.5"58° – 70°
August75°52°3.0"58° – 68°
September67°46°3.5"50° – 62°
October53°34°3.5"38° – 48°
November38°23°2.3"22° – 39°
December26°14°1.8"11° – 29°
Year50°30°31.0"
Year to year

How much a month can swing

A normal is an average. February swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 2° to 28°. June is the most reliable, staying within 9°.

Coldest to warmest month in 30 yearsNormal
Sources

Where Adams Township’s numbers come from

Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. How TownRatings reads climate data →

  • Temperatures and precipitation: NOAA’s gridded 1991–2020 normals for the 5 km cell at Adams Township’s center.
  • Frost, freezing nights, 90° and 100° days, heating and cooling: Hancock Houghton Co Airport, 12 miles from the town’s center, 190 ft lower; the nearest station that passes our checks for distance, height and agreement with the grid.
  • Growing zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, 2023. USDA Agricultural Research Service and PRISM Group, Oregon State University, prism.oregonstate.edu/phzm, accessed 8 Oct 2026.
  • Then and now: NOAA’s gridded normals for 1901–2000 at the same cell.
  • Storms and extremes: FEMA National Risk Index (expected annual losses to buildings).

Common questions about Adams Township’s climate

What is the weather like in Adams Township?

A typical July afternoon reaches 77°, a January night drops to 7°. Colder January nights than 97% of U.S. towns; cooler July afternoons than 98% of U.S. towns.

How cold does it get in Adams Township in winter?

February nights average 6°. About 175 nights a year reach 32° or below and 17 reach 0° or below. In the coldest February of the last 30 years the month averaged 2°.

How hot does it get in Adams Township?

July, with a typical high of 77° and a low of 54°. About 2 days a year reach 90° (Hancock Houghton Co Airport).

When is the first and last frost in Adams Township?

In half of years the last spring frost (32°) comes by May 17 and the first fall frost by October 1, about 138 frost-free days, at Hancock Houghton Co Airport.

What growing zone is Adams Township in?

Zone 5a on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map: the coldest night of a typical winter reaches about −15°.

What is the best time of year to visit Adams Township?

By one simple rule (highs of 62–84° and lows of 40° or more), June, July, August and September. The rule is ours, not NOAA’s; the month table has the numbers to judge by.

Is Adams Township getting warmer?

Yes: 1991–2020 averaged 1.7° warmer than 1901–2000 on NOAA’s grid. A bigger shift than 72% of U.S. towns.

Neighbors talk weather

Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Adams Township.

Town Square →
Ask your neighbors

Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000; USDA/PRISM 2023 hardiness zones; FEMA National Risk Index. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.