Weather & Climate in Carmel, IN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Carmel experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 44.4 inches. The area receives 20.3 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 54. 37% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 850 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 51.6°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 850 ft (259 m) |
| Area | 48.5 sq mi (125.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,047/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.9655°N, 86.1484°W |
| Timezone | America/Indiana/Indianapolis |
| County | Marion County County |
| Nearest Airport | Indianapolis International (IND) 19 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 54.0 |
| Rating | Moderate |
| Good Days % | 36.6% |
| Unhealthy Days | 4 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 97.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 39.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 49.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively 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: M3.8.
| Jun 17, 2021 | Illinois-Indiana border region | M3.8 | 98 km | 6 km |
| Sep 12, 2004 | 4 km NW of Manilla, Indiana | M3.8 | 58 km | 2 km |
| Dec 20, 1990 | 5 km S of Stilesville, Indiana | M3.7 | 59 km | 5 km |
| Apr 14, 2000 | 4 km NW of Heritage Lake, Indiana | M3.6 | 56 km | 5 km |
| Dec 17, 1990 | Illinois-Indiana border region | M3.2 | 77 km | 10 km |
| Dec 16, 1996 | 3 km NNE of Terre Haute, Indiana | M3.1 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Apr 17, 1990 | 8 km NW of Fort Recovery, Ohio | M3.0 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Jan 30, 2004 | 2 km S of Rockford, Ohio | M2.5 | 149 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
623 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 84 fatalities, 1,921 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 11, 1998 | EF4 | 27 km | 13.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1994 | EF4 | 89 km | 14.0 mi | 3 |
| Jul 9, 1980 | EF4 | 69 km | 11.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 20, 1976 | EF4 | 92 km | 16.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 49 km | 18.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 75 km | 18.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 100 km | 35.6 mi | 4 |
| May 14, 1972 | EF4 | 23 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 52 km | 48.0 mi | 25 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 71 km | 21.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 92 km | 52.5 mi | 4 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 62 km | 45.7 mi | 28 |
| Apr 25, 1961 | EF4 | 52 km | 63.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 6, 1956 | EF4 | 83 km | 1.9 mi | 1 |
| Mar 14, 2024 | EF3 | 90 km | 41.3 mi | 1 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 89 km | 5.9 mi | 2 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 48 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 74 km | 6.4 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2019 | EF3 | 94 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2016 | EF3 | 55 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
3 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,547 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,547 | 94 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 1,102 | 72 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 898 | 94 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 2.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.2 in | Driest |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 3.4 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 62°F (16°C) | 5.0 in | |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 5.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 4.2 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 in | |
| November | 42°F (5°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 32°F (-0°C) | 2.8 in |
Carmel has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 27°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.5") and February the driest (2.2").