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Sterling Heights, MI Weather by Month and Climate Averages
Monthly normals · Rain · Snow
Sunshine · Freeze dates · Records · Best time to visit
What is the weather like in Sterling Heights, MI?
Sterling Heights, MI gets 35.0 in of precipitation a year over about 115 rainy days, and about 32.2 in of snow a season. July is the warmest month (average high 82°F) and January the coldest (average low 19°F).
Humid continental climate
Sterling Heights, MI has warm summers and cold winters. Daytime highs range from about 34°F in January to 82°F in July. July is usually the wettest month, and snow falls in winter. The most comfortable time to visit is typically May to June and September, when daytime highs sit near 73°F.
| Season | Months | Avg low | Avg high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dec–Feb | 21° | 36° |
| Spring | Mar–May | 36° | 57° |
| Summer | Jun–Aug | 59° | 80° |
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | 42° | 61° |
How much rain does Sterling Heights get?
Sterling Heights gets 35.0 in of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 115 days with measurable rain. That is more rainy days than 73% of the US.
July is the wettest month, with 3.8 in. February is the driest, with 1.8 in. January has the most rainy days, about 12.
The longest dry spell in the last five years lasted 22 days, to June 10, 2023.
From September 2025 to August 2026 Sterling Heights got 27.1 in of rain, against a normal of 35.0 in for those months. April 2026 had the most, with 4.7 in.
See where Sterling Heights ranks: rainiest cities in the US, US cities with the most rainy days, rainiest cities in Michigan.
Does it snow in Sterling Heights?
Yes. Sterling Heights gets about 32.2 in of snow in an average season, measured at the reporting station.
The snowiest winter on record is 2011–12, with 72.0 in.
The most recent measurable snow at the station fell on March 23, 2026.
From September 2025 to August 2026 the station measured 32.3 in of snow, against a normal of 32.2 in for those months. January 2026 had the most, with 15.6 in.
See where Sterling Heights ranks: snowiest cities in the US.
Sterling Heights weather by month
Sterling Heights weather in January
In January, Sterling Heights averages a high of 34°F and a low of 19°F. It gets 2.2 in of precipitation over about 12 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 21% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The January record high is 63°F (1995) and the record low is -18°F (1994).
Sterling Heights weather in February
In February, Sterling Heights averages a high of 36°F and a low of 20°F. It gets 1.8 in of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 33% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The February record high is 73°F (2024) and the record low is -11°F (1994).
Sterling Heights weather in March
In March, Sterling Heights averages a high of 45°F and a low of 27°F. It gets 2.5 in of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 34% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The March record high is 84°F (2007) and the record low is -8°F (2003).
Sterling Heights weather in April
In April, Sterling Heights averages a high of 57°F and a low of 36°F. It gets 3.4 in of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 37% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The April record high is 90°F (1990) and the record low is 13°F (1982).
Sterling Heights weather in May
In May, Sterling Heights averages a high of 68°F and a low of 45°F. It gets 3.6 in of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 40% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The May record high is 93°F (1987) and the record low is 24°F (2011). May is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Sterling Heights weather in June
In June, Sterling Heights averages a high of 78°F and a low of 56°F. It gets 3.3 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 49% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The June record high is 104°F (1988) and the record low is 27°F (2011). June is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Sterling Heights weather in July
In July, Sterling Heights averages a high of 82°F and a low of 61°F. It gets 3.8 in of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 49% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The July record high is 102°F (1995) and the record low is 40°F (2013).
Sterling Heights weather in August
In August, Sterling Heights averages a high of 80°F and a low of 60°F. It gets 3.7 in of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 50% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The August record high is 99°F (2001) and the record low is 41°F (1982).
Sterling Heights weather in September
In September, Sterling Heights averages a high of 74°F and a low of 53°F. It gets 3.2 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 51% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The September record high is 96°F (1978) and the record low is 29°F (2013). September is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Sterling Heights weather in October
In October, Sterling Heights averages a high of 61°F and a low of 42°F. It gets 2.8 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 42% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The October record high is 90°F (2007) and the record low is 17°F (2013).
Sterling Heights weather in November
In November, Sterling Heights averages a high of 49°F and a low of 32°F. It gets 2.6 in of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 40% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The November record high is 77°F (2016) and the record low is 10°F (2019).
Sterling Heights weather in December
In December, Sterling Heights averages a high of 38°F and a low of 24°F. It gets 2.2 in of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 21% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The December record high is 69°F (2001) and the record low is -6°F (2017).
Sunshine, humidity and wind in Sterling Heights
September is the sunniest month in Sterling Heights, with estimated sunshine of 51% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. January is the cloudiest, at 21%. The annual cloud-cover estimate is 39% of daylight hours; it is not a measurement of sunshine duration. Sterling Heights is cloudier than 90% of the US.
Humidity peaks in January at 76% and is lowest in May at 61%.
Sterling Heights has about 9 days a year above 90°F. Sterling Heights is cooler than 80% of the US.
See where Sterling Heights ranks: sunniest cities in the US, cloudiest cities in the US, hottest cities in the US.
First and last freeze in Sterling Heights
The first fall freeze in Sterling Heights typically comes around October 21, and the last spring freeze around May 1. That leaves a frost-free growing season of about 173 days.
Sterling Heights weather records
These records cover MT CLEMENS ANG BASE during 1970–2026. Earlier records or other stations in the city may differ.
The hottest temperature on record at the Sterling Heights station is 104°F, on June 25, 1988. The coldest is -18°F, on January 19, 1994.
The wettest day in the available station history brought 4.2 in of precipitation, on July 28, 1976.
38 all-time records have been set at the station since 1970.
The annual mean temperature has changed by +0.6°F per decade since 1970.
The best time to visit Sterling Heights
The most comfortable time to visit is typically May to June and September, when daytime highs sit near 73°F.
Winter (December–February) is cold, with average highs around 36°F and lows near 21°F. Snow is possible.
Spring (March–May) is mild, with average highs around 57°F and lows near 36°F.
Summer (June–August) is warm, with average highs around 80°F and lows near 59°F.
Autumn (September–November) is mild, with average highs around 61°F and lows near 42°F.
Monthly climate
| Month | Average low | Average high | Precip | Rain days | Humidity | Estimated sunshine | Record high | Record low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19° | 34° | 2.2 in | 12 | 76% | 21% | 63° | -18° |
| February | 20° | 36° | 1.8 in | 9 | 68% | 33% | 73° | -11° |
| March | 27° | 45° | 2.5 in | 10 | 64% | 34% | 84° | -8° |
| April | 36° | 57° | 3.4 in | 11 | 62% | 37% | 90° | 13° |
| May | 45° | 68° | 3.6 in | 10 | 61% | 40% | 93° | 24° |
| June | 56° | 78° | 3.3 in | 8 | 62% | 49% | 104° | 27° |
| July | 61° | 82° | 3.8 in | 9 | 68% | 49% | 102° | 40° |
| August | 60° | 80° | 3.7 in | 9 | 70% | 50% | 99° | 41° |
| September | 53° | 74° | 3.2 in | 8 | 72% | 51% | 96° | 29° |
| October | 42° | 61° | 2.8 in | 8 | 70% | 42% | 90° | 17° |
| November | 32° | 49° | 2.6 in | 10 | 68% | 40% | 77° | 10° |
| December | 24° | 38° | 2.2 in | 10 | 74% | 21% | 69° | -6° |
Station: MT CLEMENS ANG BASE, 18 km from the city. Temperature normal baseline: 1991–2020, calculated from available NOAA GHCN-Daily observations. Available station history: 1970–2026; record values refer to this station and period, not the entire city’s history. Precipitation includes rain and the water equivalent of frozen precipitation; snowfall depth is shown separately when available. Sources and methods
From ERA5 reanalysis. Sunshine is estimated from cloud cover.
Sterling Heights climate questions
How much rain does Sterling Heights get?
Sterling Heights gets 35.0 in of precipitation in an average year, over about 115 rainy days.
What is the wettest month in Sterling Heights?
July is the wettest month in Sterling Heights, with 3.8 in. February is the driest, with 1.8 in.
How many rainy days does Sterling Heights have a year?
Sterling Heights has about 115 days with measurable rain in an average year. January has the most, about 12.
Does it snow in Sterling Heights?
Yes. Sterling Heights gets about 32.2 in of snow in an average season. The snowiest winter on record is 2011–12, with 72.0 in.
What is the hottest month in Sterling Heights?
July is the warmest month in Sterling Heights, with an average high of 82°F.
What is the coldest month in Sterling Heights?
January is the coldest month in Sterling Heights, with an average low of 19°F.
What is the record high temperature in Sterling Heights?
Within the available 1970–2026 station history, the record high at the Sterling Heights station is 104°F, set on June 25, 1988. The record low is -18°F, on January 19, 1994.
What is the sunniest month in Sterling Heights?
September is the sunniest month in Sterling Heights, with estimated sunshine of 51% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. January is the cloudiest.
When is the first frost in Sterling Heights?
The first fall freeze in Sterling Heights typically comes around October 21. The last spring freeze is around May 1.
What is the best time to visit Sterling Heights?
The most comfortable time to visit is typically May to June and September, when daytime highs sit near 73°F.