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Weather & Climate in Carbondale, IL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Carbondale 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 449 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 | 449 ft (137 m) |
| Area | 17.5 sq mi (45.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,248/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.7221°N, 89.2237°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Jackson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Cape Girardeau Regional (CGI) 42 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 87.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 76.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 65.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
240 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.2.
| Apr 18, 2008 | 7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M5.2 | 142 km | 14 km |
| Sep 26, 1990 | 4 km SE of Chaffee, Missouri | M4.8 | 72 km | 1 km |
| Apr 18, 2008 | 9 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M4.7 | 144 km | 15 km |
| Jun 18, 2002 | 6 km SW of Parkers Settlement, Indiana | M4.6 | 133 km | 16 km |
| May 4, 1991 | 2 km NNW of Risco, Missouri | M4.5 | 138 km | 11 km |
| Feb 5, 1994 | 2 km WNW of Dongola, Illinois | M4.2 | 40 km | 16 km |
| Apr 21, 2008 | 7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M4.0 | 143 km | 18 km |
| Jun 6, 2003 | 1 km NE of Bardwell, Kentucky | M4.0 | 96 km | 3 km |
| Dec 7, 2000 | 7 km W of Evansville, Indiana | M3.9 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Feb 21, 2012 | 4 km SSE of Bertrand, Missouri | M3.9 | 96 km | 8 km |
| Sep 19, 2017 | 4 km N of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.8 | 139 km | 12 km |
| Mar 2, 2010 | 2 km ENE of East Prairie, Missouri | M3.7 | 105 km | 8 km |
| Apr 25, 2008 | 8 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.7 | 143 km | 13 km |
| Nov 20, 2012 | 7 km N of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.6 | 142 km | 19 km |
| Jan 2, 2006 | 3 km NNE of Eldorado, Illinois | M3.6 | 72 km | 7 km |
| Jun 20, 2005 | 4 km WSW of Blandville, Kentucky | M3.6 | 91 km | 19 km |
| Mar 15, 2017 | 9 km ESE of Wyatt, Missouri | M3.6 | 94 km | 8 km |
| Jun 15, 2004 | 3 km S of Canalou, Missouri | M3.5 | 118 km | 5 km |
| May 1, 2016 | 5 km SE of New Grand Chain, Illinois | M3.5 | 60 km | 16 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SE of Wyatt, Missouri | M3.5 | 95 km | 4 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: 76 fatalities, 1,082 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 18, 1957 | EF5 | 40 km | 5.4 mi | 1 |
| Feb 28, 2017 | EF4 | 69 km | 53.5 mi | 1 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF4 | 80 km | 10.6 mi | 2 |
| Feb 29, 2012 | EF4 | 51 km | 26.1 mi | 8 |
| Sep 22, 2006 | EF4 | 54 km | 27.5 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2003 | EF4 | 53 km | 33.0 mi | 2 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 88 km | 106.0 mi | 1 |
| May 29, 1982 | EF4 | 12 km | 17.0 mi | 10 |
| Dec 18, 1957 | EF4 | 63 km | 16.8 mi | 1 |
| Dec 18, 1957 | EF4 | 23 km | 28.3 mi | 11 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 24 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 76 km | 42.5 mi | 3 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 90 km | 14.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 22, 2006 | EF3 | 69 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 11, 2006 | EF3 | 69 km | 53.5 mi | 2 |
| May 6, 2003 | EF3 | 55 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF3 | 61 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF3 | 40 km | 19.3 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 2002 | EF3 | 93 km | 4.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 21, 2002 | EF3 | 82 km | 31.5 mi | 1 |
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 | 69 km |
| 2021 | RED SHALE UNIT RX | 2,123 | 14 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,627 | 37 km |
| 2019 | ATWOOD RIDGE RX | 1,622 | 37 km |
| 2021 | GAP VIEW RX | 1,575 | 70 km |
| 2022 | DENNISON HOLLOW RX | 1,573 | 71 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,510 | 59 km |
| 2022 | ONE HORSE GAP RX | 1,502 | 72 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,493 | 71 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,447 | 71 km |
| 2021 | BEATTY BRANCH RX | 1,396 | 68 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 1,334 | 57 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,299 | 72 km |
| 2024 | RED SHALE RX | 1,259 | 14 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 1,257 | 47 km |
| 2021 | OZARK HILL PRAIRIE RX | 1,235 | 46 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,216 | 73 km |
| 2019 | KINKAID RX | 1,215 | 21 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,203 | 71 km |
| 2022 | KINKAID STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AREA RX | 1,115 | 22 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 2.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 3.0 in | |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 4.6 in | |
| April | 56°F (14°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.2 in | |
| October | 58°F (15°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 47°F (8°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 3.9 in |
Carbondale has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 32°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.8") and January the driest (2.8").