Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Elkhart experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 275 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 39.9 inches. The area receives 45.2 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45. 62% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 751 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average
50.3°F
7% below US avg
January Average
25°F (-4°C)
July Average
73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
751 ft (229 m)
Area
28.1 sq mi (72.8 km²)
Population Density
1,911/sq mi
Coordinates
41.6915°N, 85.9622°W
Timezone
America/Indiana/Indianapolis
County
Elkhart County County
Nearest Airport
South Bend International (SBN) 18 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall39.9"
5% above US avg
Snowfall45.2"
Wettest Month (Jun)3.90"
Driest Month (Feb)1.73"
Air Quality
AQI Median
45.0
Rating
Good
Good Days %
62.0%
Unhealthy Days
1
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
83.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability
45.3 / 100
Community Resilience
61.1 / 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 Moderate
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively High
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.2.
May 2, 2015
5 km S of Galesburg, Michigan
M4.2
75 km
4 km
Jun 30, 2015
5 km NNE of Burlington, Michigan
M3.3
91 km
5 km
Jan 26, 2012
5 km NE of Topeka, Indiana
M3.0
41 km
5 km
Jun 12, 2015
6 km NW of Convoy, Ohio
M2.6
129 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
435 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 141 fatalities, 1,785 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 2, 1977
EF4
74 km
12.4 mi
0
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
23 km
21.6 mi
5
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
66 km
90.3 mi
23
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
81 km
80.5 mi
21
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
23 km
37.0 mi
36
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
21 km
21.2 mi
31
May 27, 2019
EF3
80 km
13.7 mi
0
Oct 18, 2007
EF3
47 km
20.3 mi
0
Oct 24, 2001
EF3
40 km
47.0 mi
1
Mar 27, 1991
EF3
76 km
21.0 mi
1
May 15, 1986
EF3
86 km
1.2 mi
0
May 13, 1980
EF3
63 km
21.0 mi
0
May 13, 1980
EF3
71 km
10.6 mi
5
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
84 km
12.6 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
73 km
12.1 mi
0
Apr 3, 1974
EF3
51 km
36.2 mi
5
Nov 26, 1965
EF3
45 km
1.0 mi
0
Apr 11, 1965
EF3
64 km
35.6 mi
10
Apr 11, 1965
EF3
81 km
14.2 mi
0
Apr 30, 1962
EF3
46 km
36.5 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
77 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: ALLEGAN6 (1,077 acres, 1988).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1988
ALLEGAN6
1,077
99 km
2017
17 INDU COWLES DUNES
522
95 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
25°F (-4°C)
1.9 in
Coldest
February
27°F (-3°C)
1.7 in
Driest
March
37°F (3°C)
2.8 in
April
48°F (9°C)
3.6 in
May
60°F (15°C)
3.5 in
June
69°F (20°C)
3.9 in
Wettest
July
73°F (23°C)
3.7 in
Warmest
August
71°F (21°C)
3.7 in
September
63°F (17°C)
3.7 in
October
52°F (11°C)
3.0 in
November
40°F (4°C)
3.0 in
December
29°F (-2°C)
2.9 in
Elkhart has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 25°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (1.7").
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