Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Elizabethtown experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 76°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 47.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 16.3 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 642 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average
54.1°F
0% below US avg
January Average
30°F (-1°C)
July Average
76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days
293 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
642 ft (196 m)
Area
0.3 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density
1,088/sq mi
Coordinates
39.1351°N, 85.8124°W
Timezone
America/Indiana/Indianapolis
County
Bartholomew County County
Nearest Airport
Indianapolis International (IND) 48 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall47.3"
25% above US avg
Snowfall16.3"
Wettest Month (May)4.72"
Driest Month (Feb)2.64"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
70.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability
23.1 / 100
Community Resilience
78.5 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
13 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.9.
Jan 24, 1990
6 km WNW of Alton, Indiana
M3.9
125 km
10 km
Jun 17, 2021
Illinois-Indiana border region
M3.8
148 km
6 km
Jan 27, 1990
6 km N of Alton, Indiana
M3.8
119 km
5 km
Sep 12, 2004
4 km NW of Manilla, Indiana
M3.8
54 km
2 km
Dec 20, 1990
5 km S of Stilesville, Indiana
M3.7
87 km
5 km
Apr 14, 2000
4 km NW of Heritage Lake, Indiana
M3.6
106 km
5 km
Dec 17, 1990
Illinois-Indiana border region
M3.2
148 km
10 km
May 10, 2012
0 km NW of Emison, Indiana
M3.1
147 km
11 km
Dec 16, 1996
3 km NNE of Terre Haute, Indiana
M3.1
143 km
5 km
May 10, 2012
1 km NNW of Emison, Indiana
M2.7
147 km
9 km
Mar 9, 1990
8 km ENE of New Amsterdam, Indiana
M2.7
115 km
5 km
Mar 21, 1990
1 km W of Spring Mill, Kentucky
M2.7
111 km
4 km
Jan 29, 1990
11 km S of Paoli, Indiana
M2.6
95 km
0 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
558 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 52 fatalities, 1,346 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 3, 1974
EF5
83 km
20.8 mi
3
Mar 2, 2012
EF4
85 km
45.1 mi
11
Jun 11, 1998
EF4
73 km
13.2 mi
0
Nov 22, 1992
EF4
88 km
26.7 mi
1
Jun 2, 1990
EF4
74 km
11.0 mi
1
Jun 2, 1990
EF4
51 km
18.0 mi
0
Jun 2, 1990
EF4
78 km
33.0 mi
0
Jul 9, 1980
EF4
61 km
11.0 mi
2
Apr 3, 1974
EF4
70 km
18.9 mi
0
Apr 3, 1974
EF4
62 km
27.1 mi
0
Apr 3, 1974
EF4
65 km
35.6 mi
11
Apr 3, 1974
EF4
8 km
35.6 mi
4
May 14, 1972
EF4
74 km
30.0 mi
0
Apr 25, 1961
EF4
50 km
63.1 mi
0
Mar 31, 2023
EF3
81 km
5.9 mi
2
Mar 31, 2023
EF3
51 km
5.5 mi
0
Mar 2, 2012
EF3
36 km
8.7 mi
3
May 25, 2011
EF3
57 km
6.8 mi
0
Mar 8, 2009
EF3
76 km
1.1 mi
0
Jun 3, 2008
EF3
38 km
9.7 mi
1
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: JPG 09 1 (6,113 acres, 1998).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1998
JPG 09 1
6,113
44 km
2005
RX BURNPLAN AREA 2-06
5,054
45 km
2007
UNITS 8-9 2008
4,316
45 km
2006
UNIT 19 06 WUI
3,412
46 km
2003
WUI 3 03
3,372
37 km
2010
WUI UNIT 28K
3,230
37 km
1999
UNNAMED
3,122
37 km
2002
UNIT 8
2,753
44 km
2005
UNIT 3 05
2,511
37 km
2001
01 UNIT 16
2,361
47 km
2011
WUI UNITS 0 AND 1 2011
2,215
44 km
2004
UNIT 19
2,004
45 km
2003
UNIT 8 03
1,971
43 km
2008
FY 09 UNIT 42 RX FALL 2008
1,942
40 km
2000
JPG 14
1,908
46 km
2003
UNIT 16 03
1,809
47 km
2021
UNNAMED
1,547
39 km
2002
UNIT 9
1,485
46 km
1995
UNNAMED
1,462
41 km
2010
TRACER
1,408
37 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
30°F (-1°C)
2.7 in
Coldest
February
32°F (0°C)
2.6 in
Driest
March
43°F (6°C)
3.9 in
April
53°F (12°C)
4.5 in
May
63°F (17°C)
4.7 in
Wettest
June
71°F (22°C)
3.7 in
July
76°F (24°C)
4.2 in
Warmest
August
73°F (23°C)
4.0 in
September
67°F (19°C)
3.0 in
October
55°F (13°C)
3.0 in
November
44°F (7°C)
3.8 in
December
34°F (1°C)
3.3 in
Elizabethtown has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 30°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.7") and February the driest (2.6").