Weather & Climate in Adams, IN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Adams experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 13.3 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 886 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 53.6°F |
| 1% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 886 ft (270 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 618/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.3825°N, 85.5613°W |
| Timezone | America/Indiana/Indianapolis |
| County | Decatur County County |
| Nearest Airport | Indianapolis International (IND) 45 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 23.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 78.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
8 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Sep 12, 2004 | 4 km NW of Manilla, Indiana | M3.8 | 26 km | 2 km |
| Dec 20, 1990 | 5 km S of Stilesville, Indiana | M3.7 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Apr 14, 2000 | 4 km NW of Heritage Lake, Indiana | M3.6 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Dec 17, 1990 | Illinois-Indiana border region | M3.2 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Apr 17, 1990 | 8 km NW of Fort Recovery, Ohio | M3.0 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Mar 9, 1990 | 8 km ENE of New Amsterdam, Indiana | M2.7 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 1990 | 1 km W of Spring Mill, Kentucky | M2.7 | 138 km | 4 km |
| Jan 29, 1990 | 11 km S of Paoli, Indiana | M2.6 | 130 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
551 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 41 fatalities, 1,597 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 75 km | 20.8 mi | 3 |
| Jun 11, 1998 | EF4 | 55 km | 13.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF4 | 97 km | 26.7 mi | 1 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 58 km | 33.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 86 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1980 | EF4 | 27 km | 11.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 78 km | 18.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 96 km | 19.8 mi | 2 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 31 km | 35.6 mi | 4 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 73 km | 27.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 94 km | 35.6 mi | 11 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 42 km | 18.9 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 1972 | EF4 | 62 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 1961 | EF4 | 30 km | 63.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 14, 2024 | EF3 | 96 km | 41.3 mi | 1 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 50 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 38 km | 8.7 mi | 3 |
| May 25, 2011 | EF3 | 90 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2008 | EF3 | 13 km | 9.7 mi | 1 |
| Nov 15, 2005 | EF3 | 22 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: JPG 09 1 (6,113 acres, 1998).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1998 | JPG 09 1 | 6,113 | 57 km |
| 2005 | RX BURNPLAN AREA 2-06 | 5,054 | 58 km |
| 2007 | UNITS 8-9 2008 | 4,316 | 59 km |
| 2006 | UNIT 19 06 WUI | 3,412 | 60 km |
| 2003 | WUI 3 03 | 3,372 | 47 km |
| 2010 | WUI UNIT 28K | 3,230 | 45 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 3,122 | 47 km |
| 2002 | UNIT 8 | 2,753 | 59 km |
| 2005 | UNIT 3 05 | 2,511 | 47 km |
| 2001 | 01 UNIT 16 | 2,361 | 59 km |
| 2011 | WUI UNITS 0 AND 1 2011 | 2,215 | 59 km |
| 2004 | UNIT 19 | 2,004 | 60 km |
| 2003 | UNIT 8 03 | 1,971 | 57 km |
| 2008 | FY 09 UNIT 42 RX FALL 2008 | 1,942 | 53 km |
| 2000 | JPG 14 | 1,908 | 59 km |
| 2003 | UNIT 16 03 | 1,809 | 60 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,547 | 67 km |
| 2002 | UNIT 9 | 1,485 | 59 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,462 | 53 km |
| 2010 | TRACER | 1,408 | 45 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 32°F (0°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| March | 42°F (6°C) | 3.8 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 4.9 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 5.1 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 5.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.2 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 3.6 in | |
| December | 34°F (1°C) | 3.5 in |
Adams has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 29°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.4") and February the driest (2.8").