All Countries
Weather & Climate in Clayton, IN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Clayton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 293 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 43.3 inches. The area receives 14.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 868 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-4°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 51.2°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 868 ft (265 m) |
| Area | 0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,345/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.6884°N, 86.5219°W |
| Timezone | America/Indiana/Indianapolis |
| County | Hendricks County County |
| Nearest Airport | Indianapolis International (IND) 12 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 76.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 91.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
10 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Jun 17, 2021 | Illinois-Indiana border region | M3.8 | 67 km | 6 km |
| Nov 11, 1991 | 3 km W of Flat Rock, Illinois | M3.8 | 134 km | 0 km |
| Sep 12, 2004 | 4 km NW of Manilla, Indiana | M3.8 | 74 km | 2 km |
| Dec 20, 1990 | 5 km S of Stilesville, Indiana | M3.7 | 14 km | 5 km |
| Apr 14, 2000 | 4 km NW of Heritage Lake, Indiana | M3.6 | 21 km | 5 km |
| Dec 17, 1990 | Illinois-Indiana border region | M3.2 | 61 km | 10 km |
| May 10, 2012 | 0 km NW of Emison, Indiana | M3.1 | 127 km | 11 km |
| Dec 16, 1996 | 3 km NNE of Terre Haute, Indiana | M3.1 | 78 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 2012 | 1 km NNW of Emison, Indiana | M2.7 | 126 km | 9 km |
| Jan 29, 1990 | 11 km S of Paoli, Indiana | M2.6 | 138 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
586 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 77 fatalities, 1,730 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 11, 1998 | EF4 | 50 km | 13.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1994 | EF4 | 95 km | 14.0 mi | 3 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 96 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1980 | EF4 | 90 km | 11.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 20, 1976 | EF4 | 96 km | 16.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 75 km | 18.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 93 km | 35.6 mi | 4 |
| May 14, 1972 | EF4 | 39 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 76 km | 21.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 47 km | 45.7 mi | 28 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 80 km | 48.0 mi | 25 |
| Apr 25, 1961 | EF4 | 63 km | 63.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 40 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 47 km | 5.9 mi | 2 |
| Aug 24, 2016 | EF3 | 91 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 78 km | 37.9 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 2011 | EF3 | 93 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 8, 2009 | EF3 | 94 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2008 | EF3 | 77 km | 9.7 mi | 1 |
| Nov 15, 2005 | EF3 | 74 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
5 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,547 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,547 | 67 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 1,102 | 57 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 898 | 67 km |
| 2010 | FORK RIDGE RX | 697 | 82 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 670 | 82 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-4°C) | 2.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 2.4 in | |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 3.5 in | |
| April | 51°F (10°C) | 3.9 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.6 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.1 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 42°F (6°C) | 3.7 in | |
| December | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.1 in |
Clayton has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 26°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 41.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.6") and January the driest (2.3").