Weather & Climate in Dowell, IL

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

Dowell enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 77°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 47.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 11.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 401 feet.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	56.0°F
	4% above US avg
January Average	32°F (0°C)
July Average	77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	305 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	401 ft (122 m)
Area	0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²)
Population Density	736/sq mi
Coordinates	37.9396°N, 89.2395°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Jackson County County
Nearest Airport	Cape Girardeau Regional (CGI) 55 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 47.7"

26% above US avg

Snowfall 11.9"

Wettest Month (May) 4.69"

Driest Month (Jan) 2.64"

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

156 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	131 km	14 km
Sep 26, 1990	4 km SE of Chaffee, Missouri	M4.8	94 km	1 km
Apr 18, 2008	9 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois	M4.7	133 km	15 km
Jun 18, 2002	6 km SW of Parkers Settlement, Indiana	M4.6	130 km	16 km
Feb 5, 1994	2 km WNW of Dongola, Illinois	M4.2	64 km	16 km
Apr 21, 2008	7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois	M4.0	132 km	18 km
Jun 6, 2003	1 km NE of Bardwell, Kentucky	M4.0	120 km	3 km
Dec 7, 2000	7 km W of Evansville, Indiana	M3.9	141 km	5 km
Jun 7, 2011	18 km NNW of Potosi, Missouri	M3.9	147 km	21 km
Feb 21, 2012	4 km SSE of Bertrand, Missouri	M3.9	120 km	8 km
Sep 19, 2017	4 km N of Bellmont, Illinois	M3.8	128 km	12 km
Apr 25, 2008	8 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois	M3.7	132 km	13 km
Mar 2, 2010	2 km ENE of East Prairie, Missouri	M3.7	129 km	8 km
Jan 2, 2006	3 km NNE of Eldorado, Illinois	M3.6	73 km	7 km
Nov 20, 2012	7 km N of Bellmont, Illinois	M3.6	130 km	19 km
Jun 20, 2005	4 km WSW of Blandville, Kentucky	M3.6	115 km	19 km
Mar 15, 2017	9 km ESE of Wyatt, Missouri	M3.6	118 km	8 km
Jul 16, 2004	6 km SE of Wyatt, Missouri	M3.5	120 km	4 km
May 1, 2016	5 km SE of New Grand Chain, Illinois	M3.5	84 km	16 km
Jun 15, 2004	3 km S of Canalou, Missouri	M3.5	141 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

560 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 66 fatalities, 1,056 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Dec 18, 1957	EF5	16 km	5.4 mi	1
Feb 28, 2017	EF4	71 km	53.5 mi	1
Nov 17, 2013	EF4	57 km	10.6 mi	2
Feb 29, 2012	EF4	59 km	26.1 mi	8
Sep 22, 2006	EF4	59 km	27.5 mi	0
May 6, 2003	EF4	77 km	33.0 mi	2
Jun 2, 1990	EF4	97 km	23.0 mi	0
Jun 2, 1990	EF4	76 km	106.0 mi	1
May 29, 1982	EF4	18 km	17.0 mi	10
Dec 18, 1957	EF4	40 km	16.8 mi	1
Dec 18, 1957	EF4	34 km	28.3 mi	11
May 26, 2024	EF3	45 km	4.9 mi	0
Nov 17, 2013	EF3	99 km	42.5 mi	3
Sep 22, 2006	EF3	91 km	3.5 mi	0
Mar 11, 2006	EF3	98 km	5.1 mi	0
Mar 11, 2006	EF3	68 km	53.5 mi	2
May 6, 2003	EF3	73 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 28, 2002	EF3	64 km	19.3 mi	1
Apr 28, 2002	EF3	80 km	22.0 mi	0
Apr 21, 2002	EF3	64 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	85 km
2021	RED SHALE UNIT RX	2,123	32 km
2014	UNNAMED	1,627	60 km
2019	ATWOOD RIDGE RX	1,622	60 km
2021	GAP VIEW RX	1,575	81 km
2022	DENNISON HOLLOW RX	1,573	78 km
2021	UNNAMED	1,510	73 km
2022	ONE HORSE GAP RX	1,502	84 km
2014	UNNAMED	1,493	78 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,447	79 km
2021	BEATTY BRANCH RX	1,396	83 km
2020	UNNAMED	1,334	81 km
2016	UNNAMED	1,299	84 km
2024	RED SHALE RX	1,259	33 km
2017	UNNAMED	1,257	70 km
2021	OZARK HILL PRAIRIE RX	1,235	70 km
2014	UNNAMED	1,216	85 km
2019	KINKAID RX	1,215	23 km
2013	UNNAMED	1,203	83 km
2022	KINKAID STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AREA RX	1,115	23 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	32°F (0°C)	2.6 in	Coldest, Driest
February	36°F (2°C)	2.8 in
March	46°F (8°C)	4.5 in
April	56°F (13°C)	4.2 in
May	66°F (19°C)	4.7 in	Wettest
June	75°F (24°C)	4.0 in
July	77°F (25°C)	3.6 in	Warmest
August	76°F (25°C)	3.4 in
September	70°F (21°C)	3.2 in
October	58°F (15°C)	3.1 in
November	46°F (8°C)	4.2 in
December	36°F (2°C)	3.6 in

Dowell has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 32°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.7") and January the driest (2.6").

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