Weather & Climate in Cary, IL

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Cary experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 37.0 inches. The area receives 34.5 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 820 feet.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	48.6°F
	10% below US avg
January Average	22°F (-6°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	260 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	820 ft (250 m)
Area	2.4 sq mi (6.3 km²)
Population Density	2,737/sq mi
Coordinates	42.2121°N, 88.2496°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	McHenry County County
Nearest Airport	Chicago O'Hare International (ORD) 24 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 37.0"

3% below US avg

Snowfall 34.5"

Wettest Month (Aug) 4.13"

Driest Month (Feb) 1.22"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
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

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	100 km	10 km
Feb 10, 2010	2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois	M3.8	34 km	10 km
Sep 2, 1999	8 km W of Amboy, Illinois	M3.5	112 km	5 km
Nov 4, 2013	1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois	M3.2	58 km	1 km
Jul 15, 2024	2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois	M3.1	74 km	10 km
Mar 25, 2015	3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois	M2.9	10 km	6 km
Jun 10, 2013	4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois	M2.6	33 km	5 km
Mar 15, 2025	6 km W of Dwight, Illinois	M2.6	127 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

559 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 107 fatalities, 2,285 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Aug 28, 1990	EF5	60 km	16.4 mi	29
Apr 9, 2015	EF4	95 km	30.1 mi	2
Apr 27, 1984	EF4	86 km	6.5 mi	1
Jun 29, 1979	EF4	77 km	5.4 mi	0
Jun 13, 1976	EF4	64 km	3.3 mi	2
Sep 28, 1972	EF4	32 km	5.2 mi	0
Apr 21, 1967	EF4	70 km	15.0 mi	33
Apr 21, 1967	EF4	55 km	25.5 mi	24
Apr 21, 1967	EF4	7 km	8.8 mi	1
Apr 11, 1965	EF4	11 km	9.1 mi	6
Jun 20, 2021	EF3	52 km	17.6 mi	0
Jan 7, 2008	EF3	38 km	10.8 mi	0
Jan 7, 2008	EF3	52 km	13.2 mi	0
Mar 27, 1991	EF3	71 km	15.0 mi	0
Apr 27, 1984	EF3	74 km	9.0 mi	1
Jun 30, 1977	EF3	94 km	6.1 mi	0
Mar 12, 1976	EF3	65 km	22.6 mi	0
Nov 12, 1965	EF3	97 km	4.1 mi	0
Jul 19, 1963	EF3	41 km	10.6 mi	0
Apr 23, 1961	EF3	96 km	51.7 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	127 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

10 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,741 acres, 2019).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2019	UNNAMED	1,741	93 km
2019	UNNAMED	1,664	94 km
2021	NORTHEAST PRAIRIE UNIT 3	978	96 km
2024	NORTHEAST PRAIRIE 3 RX	938	94 km
2021	UNNAMED	738	93 km
2021	MIDDLE GRANT CREEK	700	94 km
2019	UNNAMED	698	93 km
2024	IBSP SOUTH F1 RX	690	42 km
2024	RX-HWY Y - SOUTH	553	93 km
2017	UNNAMED	549	94 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	22°F (-6°C)	1.5 in	Coldest
February	25°F (-4°C)	1.2 in	Driest
March	36°F (2°C)	2.5 in
April	47°F (8°C)	3.6 in
May	58°F (15°C)	3.5 in
June	68°F (20°C)	4.1 in
July	73°F (23°C)	4.1 in	Warmest
August	71°F (21°C)	4.1 in	Wettest
September	63°F (17°C)	3.9 in
October	51°F (11°C)	2.4 in
November	38°F (3°C)	2.8 in
December	26°F (-4°C)	2.1 in

Cary has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 22°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (1.2").

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