Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Grand Detour experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 72°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 36.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 675 feet.
Temperature
20°F Jan (-7°C)72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
47.9°F
11% below US avg
January Average
20°F (-7°C)
July Average
72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
675 ft (206 m)
Area
1.4 sq mi (3.7 km²)
Population Density
241/sq mi
Coordinates
41.9012°N, 89.4131°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Lee County County
Nearest Airport
Chicago/Rockford International (RFD) 26 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall36.6"
4% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jun)4.61"
Driest Month (Feb)1.26"
Air Quality
AQI Median
43.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
54.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability
23.2 / 100
Community Resilience
82.7 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
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
65 km
10 km
Feb 10, 2010
2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois
M3.8
76 km
10 km
Sep 2, 1999
8 km W of Amboy, Illinois
M3.5
20 km
5 km
Nov 4, 2013
1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois
M3.2
132 km
1 km
Jul 15, 2024
2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois
M3.1
65 km
10 km
Mar 25, 2015
3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois
M2.9
92 km
6 km
Jun 10, 2013
4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois
M2.6
75 km
5 km
Mar 15, 2025
6 km W of Dwight, Illinois
M2.6
118 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
574 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 80 fatalities, 1,330 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Aug 28, 1990
EF5
92 km
16.4 mi
29
Apr 9, 2015
EF4
12 km
30.1 mi
2
Mar 29, 1981
EF4
51 km
5.1 mi
0
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
54 km
25.5 mi
24
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
98 km
8.8 mi
1
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
92 km
9.1 mi
6
Feb 28, 2017
EF3
75 km
11.5 mi
2
Jan 7, 2008
EF3
73 km
13.2 mi
0
Apr 20, 2004
EF3
73 km
15.8 mi
8
May 9, 1995
EF3
74 km
22.0 mi
0
Mar 13, 1990
EF3
79 km
15.5 mi
0
Apr 27, 1984
EF3
98 km
9.0 mi
1
Aug 5, 1979
EF3
19 km
5.7 mi
0
Jun 30, 1977
EF3
50 km
6.1 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
93 km
22.6 mi
0
Mar 4, 1976
EF3
79 km
0.8 mi
0
Jun 20, 1974
EF3
71 km
10.6 mi
1
Jul 17, 1972
EF3
94 km
81.5 mi
0
Apr 16, 1967
EF3
81 km
27.8 mi
0
Jan 24, 1967
EF3
54 km
7.4 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: COLD SPRINGS (552 acres, 2009).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2009
COLD SPRINGS
552
88 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
20°F (-7°C)
1.4 in
Coldest
February
24°F (-4°C)
1.3 in
Driest
March
36°F (2°C)
2.5 in
April
48°F (9°C)
3.6 in
May
59°F (15°C)
4.2 in
June
69°F (20°C)
4.6 in
Wettest
July
72°F (22°C)
3.6 in
Warmest
August
71°F (21°C)
4.3 in
September
63°F (17°C)
3.7 in
October
51°F (11°C)
2.7 in
November
38°F (3°C)
2.7 in
December
25°F (-4°C)
2.1 in
Grand Detour has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 20°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.6") and February the driest (1.3").