Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Channel Lake 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 261 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 759 feet.
Temperature
22°F Jan (-5°C)73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average
48.6°F
10% below US avg
January Average
22°F (-5°C)
July Average
73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days
261 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
759 ft (231 m)
Area
1.8 sq mi (4.7 km²)
Population Density
1,104/sq mi
Coordinates
42.4827°N, 88.1471°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
McHenry County County
Nearest Airport
Kenosha Regional (ENW) 14 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Wettest Month (Aug)4.06"
Driest Month (Feb)1.26"
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
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
130 km
10 km
Feb 10, 2010
2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois
M3.8
64 km
10 km
Sep 2, 1999
8 km W of Amboy, Illinois
M3.5
136 km
5 km
Nov 4, 2013
1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois
M3.2
80 km
1 km
Jul 15, 2024
2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois
M3.1
104 km
10 km
Mar 25, 2015
3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois
M2.9
37 km
6 km
Jun 10, 2013
4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois
M2.6
62 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
473 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 104 fatalities, 2,139 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Aug 28, 1990
EF5
91 km
16.4 mi
29
Apr 27, 1984
EF4
58 km
6.5 mi
1
Jun 13, 1976
EF4
91 km
3.3 mi
2
Sep 28, 1972
EF4
32 km
5.2 mi
0
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
94 km
15.0 mi
33
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
38 km
8.8 mi
1
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
70 km
25.5 mi
24
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
35 km
9.1 mi
6
Jun 20, 2021
EF3
82 km
17.6 mi
0
Jan 7, 2008
EF3
57 km
13.2 mi
0
Jan 7, 2008
EF3
17 km
10.8 mi
0
Jun 5, 1980
EF3
88 km
10.7 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
96 km
22.6 mi
0
Jul 19, 1963
EF3
14 km
10.6 mi
0
Jun 22, 2024
EF2
81 km
6.0 mi
0
Nov 22, 2010
EF2
70 km
18.1 mi
0
Jul 22, 2010
EF2
43 km
1.0 mi
0
Jun 21, 2010
EF2
52 km
5.2 mi
0
Jun 25, 1998
EF2
90 km
2.5 mi
0
May 18, 1997
EF2
11 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
136 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
29 km
2024
RX-HWY Y - SOUTH
553
73 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
22°F (-5°C)
1.6 in
Coldest
February
24°F (-4°C)
1.3 in
Driest
March
35°F (1°C)
2.5 in
April
46°F (8°C)
3.6 in
May
57°F (14°C)
3.4 in
June
67°F (19°C)
3.8 in
July
73°F (23°C)
4.0 in
Warmest
August
70°F (21°C)
4.1 in
Wettest
September
62°F (17°C)
3.8 in
October
51°F (11°C)
2.4 in
November
38°F (3°C)
2.6 in
December
26°F (-4°C)
2.1 in
Channel Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 22°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (1.3").
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