All Countries
Weather & Climate in Big Rock, IA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Big Rock experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 275 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 39.6 inches. The area receives 39.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 676 feet.
Temperature
20°F Jan (-7°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 49.0°F |
| 9% below US avg | |
| January Average | 20°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 676 ft (206 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 36/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.7691°N, 90.8265°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Scott County County |
| Nearest Airport | Quad Cities International (MLI) 28 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 84.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 19.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 95.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.
| Sep 2, 1999 | 8 km W of Amboy, Illinois | M3.5 | 116 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
658 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 6 fatalities, 274 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF4 | 71 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 1981 | EF4 | 73 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 1974 | EF4 | 84 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 12 km | 91.5 mi | 1 |
| Apr 30, 1954 | EF4 | 85 km | 80.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 2007 | EF3 | 63 km | 15.8 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2004 | EF3 | 88 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1998 | EF3 | 93 km | 47.0 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 1995 | EF3 | 21 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 1993 | EF3 | 93 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 1993 | EF3 | 62 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1992 | EF3 | 52 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 49 km | 15.5 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1988 | EF3 | 4 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1978 | EF3 | 56 km | 6.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1974 | EF3 | 52 km | 10.6 mi | 1 |
| Jun 14, 1974 | EF3 | 45 km | 48.6 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 1974 | EF3 | 25 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 1971 | EF3 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1971 | EF3 | 90 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
5 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNIT 3 (1,206 acres, 1999).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1999 | UNIT 3 | 1,206 | 76 km |
| 2002 | HSB 03 2 | 1,130 | 76 km |
| 2000 | DESTRUST A | 756 | 75 km |
| 2006 | HSB 003 | 674 | 77 km |
| 2004 | HSB 009 | 608 | 76 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°F (-7°C) | 1.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.1 in | Driest |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 2.4 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 4.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 2.7 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 2.3 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 in |
Big Rock has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 20°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.4") and February the driest (1.1").