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Weather & Climate in Burns Harbor, IN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Burns Harbor experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 73°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 39.2 inches. The area receives 40.3 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 631 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 50.2°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 631 ft (192 m) |
| Area | 6.8 sq mi (17.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 341/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.6189°N, 87.1259°W |
| Timezone | America/Indiana/Indianapolis |
| County | Porter County County |
| Nearest Airport | Porter County Regional (VPZ) 13 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 81.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 13.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 89.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | 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: M4.2.
| Jun 28, 2004 | 12 km NW of Dayton, Illinois | M4.2 | 149 km | 10 km |
| Feb 10, 2010 | 2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois | M3.8 | 120 km | 10 km |
| Nov 4, 2013 | 1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois | M3.2 | 61 km | 1 km |
| Jul 15, 2024 | 2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois | M3.1 | 132 km | 10 km |
| Jan 26, 2012 | 5 km NE of Topeka, Indiana | M3.0 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Mar 25, 2015 | 3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois | M2.9 | 121 km | 6 km |
| Jun 10, 2013 | 4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois | M2.6 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 2025 | 6 km W of Dwight, Illinois | M2.6 | 129 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
520 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 123 fatalities, 1,846 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 29, 1979 | EF4 | 93 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1976 | EF4 | 73 km | 3.3 mi | 2 |
| Sep 28, 1972 | EF4 | 96 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF4 | 59 km | 15.0 mi | 33 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 89 km | 21.2 mi | 31 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 77 km | 37.0 mi | 36 |
| Apr 17, 1963 | EF4 | 95 km | 57.3 mi | 1 |
| Jun 20, 2021 | EF3 | 90 km | 17.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2010 | EF3 | 81 km | 7.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF3 | 87 km | 20.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 24, 2001 | EF3 | 58 km | 47.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF3 | 81 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 1982 | EF3 | 95 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1976 | EF3 | 16 km | 12.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1976 | EF3 | 84 km | 38.5 mi | 1 |
| Mar 12, 1976 | EF3 | 55 km | 12.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1974 | EF3 | 45 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 24, 1967 | EF3 | 11 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 26, 1965 | EF3 | 53 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 12, 1965 | EF3 | 30 km | 4.1 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 | 22 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
12 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,741 acres, 2019).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,741 | 91 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,664 | 87 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,602 | 79 km |
| 2021 | NORTHEAST PRAIRIE UNIT 3 | 978 | 81 km |
| 2024 | NORTHEAST PRAIRIE 3 RX | 938 | 81 km |
| 1986 | OGDEN DUNS | 863 | 8 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 738 | 81 km |
| 2021 | MIDDLE GRANT CREEK | 700 | 90 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 698 | 80 km |
| 2021 | 21-INDU TOLLESTON DUNES EAST | 594 | 7 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 549 | 90 km |
| 2017 | 17 INDU COWLES DUNES | 522 | 3 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.6 in | Driest |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3.7 in | |
| June | 69°F (20°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 53°F (11°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 2.7 in |
Burns Harbor has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 25°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 38.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (1.6").