Weather & Climate in Evanston, IL

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

Evanston experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 39.5 inches. The area receives 33.6 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 610 feet.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	49.6°F
	8% below US avg
January Average	24°F (-4°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	260 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	610 ft (186 m)
Area	7.8 sq mi (20.2 km²)
Population Density	9,840/sq mi
Coordinates	42.0464°N, 87.6944°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Lake County County
Nearest Airport	Chicago O'Hare International (ORD) 12 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 39.5"

4% above US avg

Snowfall 33.6"

Wettest Month (Aug) 4.06"

Driest Month (Feb) 1.46"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	96.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	14.1 / 100
Community Resilience	78.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very High
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively High
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Very High
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Very High
Landslide	Very Low
Coastal Flood	Very 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	119 km	10 km
Feb 10, 2010	2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois	M3.8	67 km	10 km
Sep 2, 1999	8 km W of Amboy, Illinois	M3.5	148 km	5 km
Nov 4, 2013	1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois	M3.2	30 km	1 km
Jul 15, 2024	2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois	M3.1	95 km	10 km
Mar 25, 2015	3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois	M2.9	58 km	6 km
Jun 10, 2013	4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois	M2.6	68 km	5 km
Mar 15, 2025	6 km W of Dwight, Illinois	M2.6	126 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

489 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 82 fatalities, 1,595 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Aug 28, 1990	EF5	68 km	16.4 mi	29
Jun 29, 1979	EF4	74 km	5.4 mi	0
Jun 13, 1976	EF4	49 km	3.3 mi	2
Sep 28, 1972	EF4	30 km	5.2 mi	0
Apr 21, 1967	EF4	43 km	15.0 mi	33
Apr 21, 1967	EF4	49 km	8.8 mi	1
Apr 11, 1965	EF4	60 km	9.1 mi	6
Jun 20, 2021	EF3	53 km	17.6 mi	0
Jun 22, 2015	EF3	100 km	16.3 mi	0
Jan 7, 2008	EF3	77 km	10.8 mi	0
Mar 27, 1991	EF3	62 km	15.0 mi	0
Apr 27, 1984	EF3	76 km	9.0 mi	1
Mar 12, 1976	EF3	71 km	22.6 mi	0
Mar 12, 1976	EF3	71 km	12.6 mi	0
Jun 20, 1974	EF3	88 km	4.5 mi	0
Oct 24, 1967	EF3	68 km	0.1 mi	0
Nov 12, 1965	EF3	58 km	4.1 mi	0
Apr 11, 1965	EF3	88 km	33.1 mi	0
Jul 19, 1963	EF3	75 km	10.6 mi	0
Apr 30, 1962	EF3	100 km	0.1 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

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

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2019	UNNAMED	1,741	84 km
2019	UNNAMED	1,664	83 km
2021	NORTHEAST PRAIRIE UNIT 3	978	81 km
2024	NORTHEAST PRAIRIE 3 RX	938	79 km
1986	OGDEN DUNS	863	63 km
2021	UNNAMED	738	79 km
2021	MIDDLE GRANT CREEK	700	84 km
2019	UNNAMED	698	79 km
2024	IBSP SOUTH F1 RX	690	41 km
2021	21-INDU TOLLESTON DUNES EAST	594	63 km
2017	UNNAMED	549	85 km
2017	17 INDU COWLES DUNES	522	66 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	24°F (-4°C)	1.8 in	Coldest
February	27°F (-3°C)	1.5 in	Driest
March	37°F (3°C)	2.5 in
April	47°F (9°C)	3.7 in
May	58°F (14°C)	3.5 in
June	68°F (20°C)	3.7 in
July	73°F (23°C)	3.6 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	4.1 in	Wettest
September	64°F (18°C)	3.5 in
October	53°F (12°C)	2.6 in
November	40°F (5°C)	2.9 in
December	28°F (-2°C)	2.4 in

Evanston has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 24°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (1.5").

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