Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bristol experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 37.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 751 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
47.4°F
12% below US avg
January Average
21°F (-6°C)
July Average
72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
260 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
751 ft (229 m)
Area
9.0 sq mi (23.4 km²)
Population Density
159/sq mi
Coordinates
42.5323°N, 88.0091°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
McHenry County County
Nearest Airport
Kenosha Regional (ENW) 6 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall37.5"
1% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jul)4.02"
Driest Month (Feb)1.26"
Air Quality
AQI Median
38.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
90.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability
10.6 / 100
Community Resilience
84.0 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively High
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
7 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.2.
Jun 28, 2004
12 km NW of Dayton, Illinois
M4.2
140 km
10 km
Feb 10, 2010
2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois
M3.8
75 km
10 km
Sep 2, 1999
8 km W of Amboy, Illinois
M3.5
148 km
5 km
Nov 4, 2013
1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois
M3.2
83 km
1 km
Jul 15, 2024
2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois
M3.1
114 km
10 km
Mar 25, 2015
3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois
M2.9
48 km
6 km
Jun 10, 2013
4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois
M2.6
73 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
427 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 103 fatalities, 2,126 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Aug 28, 1990
EF5
99 km
16.4 mi
29
Apr 27, 1984
EF4
58 km
6.5 mi
1
Jun 13, 1976
EF4
96 km
3.3 mi
2
Sep 28, 1972
EF4
30 km
5.2 mi
0
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
97 km
15.0 mi
33
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
48 km
8.8 mi
1
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
83 km
25.5 mi
24
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
46 km
9.1 mi
6
Aug 22, 1964
EF4
95 km
2.2 mi
0
Jun 20, 2021
EF3
89 km
17.6 mi
0
Jan 7, 2008
EF3
26 km
10.8 mi
0
Jan 7, 2008
EF3
69 km
13.2 mi
0
Jun 5, 1980
EF3
91 km
10.7 mi
0
Jul 19, 1963
EF3
20 km
10.6 mi
0
Jun 22, 2024
EF2
91 km
6.0 mi
0
Nov 22, 2010
EF2
82 km
18.1 mi
0
Jul 22, 2010
EF2
40 km
1.0 mi
0
Jun 21, 2010
EF2
55 km
5.2 mi
0
Jun 25, 1998
EF2
99 km
2.5 mi
0
May 18, 1997
EF2
13 km
6.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
Highest wave on record: 3.0 m (10 ft).
Year
Location
Cause
Max Wave
Deaths
Distance
1954
MICHIGAN CITY, IN (LAKE MICHIGAN)
Avalanche
3.0 m
7
131 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: IBSP SOUTH F1 RX (690 acres, 2024).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2024
IBSP SOUTH F1 RX
690
21 km
2024
RX-HWY Y - SOUTH
553
77 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
21°F (-6°C)
1.6 in
Coldest
February
24°F (-5°C)
1.3 in
Driest
March
34°F (1°C)
2.4 in
April
46°F (8°C)
3.6 in
May
57°F (14°C)
3.2 in
June
66°F (19°C)
3.9 in
July
72°F (22°C)
4.0 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
69°F (21°C)
4.0 in
September
62°F (17°C)
3.8 in
October
51°F (10°C)
2.4 in
November
38°F (3°C)
2.6 in
December
25°F (-4°C)
2.1 in
Bristol has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 21°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.0") and February the driest (1.3").
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