Weather & Climate in Alto Pass, IL

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Alto Pass enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 305 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 49.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 11.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 746 feet.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	56.0°F
	4% above US avg
January Average	32°F (0°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	305 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	746 ft (227 m)
Area	0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Population Density	178/sq mi
Coordinates	37.5737°N, 89.3195°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Union County County
Nearest Airport	Cape Girardeau Regional (CGI) 30 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 49.0"

29% above US avg

Snowfall 11.4"

Wettest Month (May) 4.96"

Driest Month (Jan) 2.99"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	55.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	68.5 / 100
Community Resilience	56.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Moderate
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

266 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.

Sep 26, 1990	4 km SE of Chaffee, Missouri	M4.8	54 km	1 km
Jun 18, 2002	6 km SW of Parkers Settlement, Indiana	M4.6	145 km	16 km
May 4, 1991	2 km NNW of Risco, Missouri	M4.5	120 km	11 km
Feb 5, 1994	2 km WNW of Dongola, Illinois	M4.2	26 km	16 km
Jun 6, 2003	1 km NE of Bardwell, Kentucky	M4.0	82 km	3 km
Jun 7, 2011	18 km NNW of Potosi, Missouri	M3.9	150 km	21 km
Feb 21, 2012	4 km SSE of Bertrand, Missouri	M3.9	78 km	8 km
Mar 2, 2010	2 km ENE of East Prairie, Missouri	M3.7	87 km	8 km
Jun 20, 2005	4 km WSW of Blandville, Kentucky	M3.6	78 km	19 km
Jan 2, 2006	3 km NNE of Eldorado, Illinois	M3.6	85 km	7 km
Mar 15, 2017	9 km ESE of Wyatt, Missouri	M3.6	79 km	8 km
May 1, 2016	5 km SE of New Grand Chain, Illinois	M3.5	50 km	16 km
Jul 16, 2004	6 km SE of Wyatt, Missouri	M3.5	80 km	4 km
Jun 15, 2004	3 km S of Canalou, Missouri	M3.5	100 km	5 km
Sep 9, 2016	9 km NW of Tiptonville, Tennessee	M3.4	126 km	10 km
Sep 26, 1994	4 km ENE of Blandville, Kentucky	M3.4	77 km	13 km
Mar 2, 1990	9 km NW of Vernon, Illinois	M3.4	143 km	0 km
May 30, 2015	4 km ENE of Geff, Illinois	M3.4	130 km	26 km
Aug 27, 1993	5 km SSE of Olympian Village, Missouri	M3.3	114 km	22 km
Jun 17, 2012	6 km NW of Tiptonville, Tennessee	M3.3	131 km	8 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

562 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 66 fatalities, 997 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Dec 18, 1957	EF5	57 km	5.4 mi	1
Feb 28, 2017	EF4	63 km	53.5 mi	1
Nov 17, 2013	EF4	95 km	10.6 mi	2
Feb 29, 2012	EF4	61 km	26.1 mi	8
Sep 22, 2006	EF4	47 km	27.5 mi	0
May 6, 2003	EF4	42 km	33.0 mi	2
May 29, 1982	EF4	30 km	17.0 mi	10
Dec 18, 1957	EF4	81 km	16.8 mi	1
Dec 18, 1957	EF4	20 km	28.3 mi	11
May 26, 2024	EF3	27 km	4.9 mi	0
May 26, 2024	EF3	93 km	19.6 mi	0
Oct 24, 2021	EF3	95 km	18.8 mi	0
Oct 24, 2021	EF3	97 km	16.7 mi	0
Nov 17, 2013	EF3	66 km	42.5 mi	3
Nov 17, 2013	EF3	72 km	14.3 mi	0
Sep 22, 2006	EF3	62 km	3.5 mi	0
Mar 11, 2006	EF3	66 km	53.5 mi	2
May 6, 2003	EF3	38 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 28, 2002	EF3	23 km	19.3 mi	1
Apr 28, 2002	EF3	59 km	22.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (2,286 acres, 2019).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2019	UNNAMED	2,286	71 km
2021	RED SHALE UNIT RX	2,123	24 km
2014	UNNAMED	1,627	19 km
2019	ATWOOD RIDGE RX	1,622	19 km
2021	GAP VIEW RX	1,575	75 km
2022	DENNISON HOLLOW RX	1,573	79 km
2021	UNNAMED	1,510	63 km
2022	ONE HORSE GAP RX	1,502	77 km
2014	UNNAMED	1,493	81 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,447	79 km
2021	BEATTY BRANCH RX	1,396	70 km
2020	UNNAMED	1,334	40 km
2016	UNNAMED	1,299	77 km
2024	RED SHALE RX	1,259	23 km
2017	UNNAMED	1,257	29 km
2021	OZARK HILL PRAIRIE RX	1,235	29 km
2014	UNNAMED	1,216	77 km
2019	KINKAID RX	1,215	28 km
2013	UNNAMED	1,203	76 km
2022	KINKAID STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AREA RX	1,115	29 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	32°F (0°C)	3.0 in	Coldest, Driest
February	36°F (2°C)	3.2 in
March	46°F (8°C)	4.8 in
April	56°F (13°C)	4.5 in
May	65°F (18°C)	5.0 in	Wettest
June	73°F (23°C)	4.1 in
July	78°F (26°C)	3.5 in	Warmest
August	76°F (25°C)	3.7 in
September	69°F (21°C)	3.2 in
October	58°F (14°C)	3.2 in
November	47°F (8°C)	4.5 in
December	36°F (2°C)	4.1 in

Alto Pass has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 32°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.0") and January the driest (3.0").

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