Weather & Climate in Elizabethtown, IL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Elizabethtown experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.3 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 403 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (-0°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 54.8°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 403 ft (123 m) |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 427/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.4499°N, 88.3035°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Hardin County County |
| Nearest Airport | Barkley Regional (PAH) 37 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 8.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 58.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 25.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
143 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 | 117 km | 14 km |
| Sep 26, 1990 | 4 km SE of Chaffee, Missouri | M4.8 | 121 km | 1 km |
| Apr 18, 2008 | 9 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M4.7 | 118 km | 15 km |
| Jun 18, 2002 | 6 km SW of Parkers Settlement, Indiana | M4.6 | 78 km | 16 km |
| Feb 5, 1994 | 2 km WNW of Dongola, Illinois | M4.2 | 79 km | 16 km |
| Jun 6, 2003 | 1 km NE of Bardwell, Kentucky | M4.0 | 88 km | 3 km |
| Apr 21, 2008 | 7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M4.0 | 117 km | 18 km |
| Feb 21, 2012 | 4 km SSE of Bertrand, Missouri | M3.9 | 118 km | 8 km |
| Dec 7, 2000 | 7 km W of Evansville, Indiana | M3.9 | 83 km | 5 km |
| Sep 19, 2017 | 4 km N of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.8 | 114 km | 12 km |
| Apr 25, 2008 | 8 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.7 | 118 km | 13 km |
| Mar 2, 2010 | 2 km ENE of East Prairie, Missouri | M3.7 | 119 km | 8 km |
| Jan 2, 2006 | 3 km NNE of Eldorado, Illinois | M3.6 | 45 km | 7 km |
| Jun 20, 2005 | 4 km WSW of Blandville, Kentucky | M3.6 | 85 km | 19 km |
| Nov 20, 2012 | 7 km N of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.6 | 117 km | 19 km |
| Mar 15, 2017 | 9 km ESE of Wyatt, Missouri | M3.6 | 96 km | 8 km |
| May 1, 2016 | 5 km SE of New Grand Chain, Illinois | M3.5 | 66 km | 16 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SE of Wyatt, Missouri | M3.5 | 101 km | 4 km |
| Jun 15, 2004 | 3 km S of Canalou, Missouri | M3.5 | 147 km | 5 km |
| May 30, 2015 | 4 km ENE of Geff, Illinois | M3.4 | 113 km | 26 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
545 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 66 fatalities, 1,078 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 29, 2012 | EF4 | 41 km | 26.1 mi | 8 |
| Nov 15, 2005 | EF4 | 72 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2003 | EF4 | 67 km | 33.0 mi | 2 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 90 km | 106.0 mi | 1 |
| May 29, 1982 | EF4 | 83 km | 17.0 mi | 10 |
| Apr 3, 1968 | EF4 | 91 km | 50.6 mi | 2 |
| Mar 4, 1964 | EF4 | 84 km | 18.5 mi | 3 |
| Jul 9, 2024 | EF3 | 66 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 43 km | 34.1 mi | 1 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 65 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Feb 28, 2017 | EF3 | 78 km | 44.1 mi | 1 |
| May 10, 2016 | EF3 | 87 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 79 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 64 km | 42.5 mi | 3 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 42 km | 14.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 10, 2009 | EF3 | 81 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2009 | EF3 | 50 km | 12.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 22, 2006 | EF3 | 52 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 85 km | 29.7 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2005 | EF3 | 90 km | 44.0 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FRANKLIN CREEK RX (2,828 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | FRANKLIN CREEK RX | 2,828 | 72 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,286 | 21 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,282 | 73 km |
| 2021 | RED SHALE UNIT RX | 2,123 | 73 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,837 | 93 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,627 | 91 km |
| 2019 | ATWOOD RIDGE RX | 1,622 | 91 km |
| 2021 | GAP VIEW RX | 1,575 | 17 km |
| 2022 | DENNISON HOLLOW RX | 1,573 | 25 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,510 | 28 km |
| 2022 | ONE HORSE GAP RX | 1,502 | 15 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,493 | 27 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,493 | 87 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,447 | 24 km |
| 2021 | BEATTY BRANCH RX | 1,396 | 21 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 1,334 | 96 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,299 | 15 km |
| 2024 | RED SHALE RX | 1,259 | 73 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 1,257 | 95 km |
| 2021 | OZARK HILL PRAIRIE RX | 1,235 | 95 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (-0°C) | 3.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 5.1 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 5.1 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 5.4 in | Wettest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.6 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 4.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.2 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 3.6 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 4.2 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 4.4 in |
Elizabethtown has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 32°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.4") and August the driest (3.2").