Weather & Climate in Elmwood Park, IL

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

Elmwood Park experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 75°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 37.9 inches. The area receives 38.4 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 630 feet.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	51.3°F
	5% below US avg
January Average	25°F (-4°C)
July Average	75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	630 ft (192 m)
Area	1.9 sq mi (4.9 km²)
Population Density	12,556/sq mi
Coordinates	41.9225°N, 87.8163°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Cook County County
Nearest Airport	Chicago O'Hare International (ORD) 6 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 37.9"

0% below US avg

Snowfall 38.4"

Wettest Month (Aug) 4.09"

Driest Month (Feb) 1.57"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very High
Risk Score	100.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	61.7 / 100
Community Resilience	73.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very High
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively High
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Very High
Hail	Relatively High
Strong Wind	Very High
Heat Wave	Very High
Winter Weather	Very High
Lightning	Very High
Ice Storm	Very High
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Very High
Landslide	Very Low
Coastal Flood	Relatively Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

8 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.

Jun 28, 2004	12 km NW of Dayton, Illinois	M4.2	104 km	10 km
Feb 10, 2010	2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois	M3.8	57 km	10 km
Sep 2, 1999	8 km W of Amboy, Illinois	M3.5	136 km	5 km
Nov 4, 2013	1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois	M3.2	14 km	1 km
Jul 15, 2024	2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois	M3.1	80 km	10 km
Mar 25, 2015	3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois	M2.9	54 km	6 km
Jun 10, 2013	4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois	M2.6	58 km	5 km
Mar 15, 2025	6 km W of Dwight, Illinois	M2.6	109 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

539 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 107 fatalities, 2,138 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Aug 28, 1990	EF5	52 km	16.4 mi	29
Jun 29, 1979	EF4	56 km	5.4 mi	0
Jun 13, 1976	EF4	32 km	3.3 mi	2
Sep 28, 1972	EF4	40 km	5.2 mi	0
Apr 21, 1967	EF4	97 km	25.5 mi	24
Apr 21, 1967	EF4	45 km	8.8 mi	1
Apr 21, 1967	EF4	28 km	15.0 mi	33
Apr 11, 1965	EF4	57 km	9.1 mi	6
Apr 17, 1963	EF4	86 km	57.3 mi	1
Jun 20, 2021	EF3	37 km	17.6 mi	0
Jun 22, 2015	EF3	83 km	16.3 mi	0
Jun 5, 2010	EF3	96 km	7.8 mi	0
Jan 7, 2008	EF3	82 km	10.8 mi	0
Jan 7, 2008	EF3	98 km	13.2 mi	0
Mar 27, 1991	EF3	45 km	15.0 mi	0
Apr 27, 1984	EF3	59 km	9.0 mi	1
Apr 2, 1982	EF3	98 km	12.0 mi	0
Mar 12, 1976	EF3	55 km	22.6 mi	0
Mar 12, 1976	EF3	74 km	12.6 mi	0
Jun 20, 1974	EF3	79 km	4.5 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	81 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

12 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,741 acres, 2019).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2019	UNNAMED	1,741	67 km
2019	UNNAMED	1,664	66 km
2021	NORTHEAST PRAIRIE UNIT 3	978	64 km
2024	NORTHEAST PRAIRIE 3 RX	938	63 km
1986	OGDEN DUNS	863	61 km
2021	UNNAMED	738	63 km
2021	MIDDLE GRANT CREEK	700	68 km
2019	UNNAMED	698	62 km
2024	IBSP SOUTH F1 RX	690	54 km
2021	21-INDU TOLLESTON DUNES EAST	594	61 km
2017	UNNAMED	549	68 km
2017	17 INDU COWLES DUNES	522	67 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	25°F (-4°C)	1.8 in	Coldest
February	28°F (-2°C)	1.6 in	Driest
March	38°F (3°C)	2.6 in
April	49°F (9°C)	3.8 in
May	60°F (16°C)	3.6 in
June	70°F (21°C)	4.0 in
July	75°F (24°C)	3.7 in	Warmest
August	73°F (23°C)	4.1 in	Wettest
September	65°F (18°C)	3.5 in
October	53°F (12°C)	2.7 in
November	40°F (5°C)	3.1 in
December	28°F (-2°C)	2.5 in

Elmwood Park has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 25°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (1.6").

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