Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Gurnee experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 261 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 705 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
48.4°F
10% below US avg
January Average
23°F (-5°C)
July Average
72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
261 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
705 ft (215 m)
Area
13.5 sq mi (35.0 km²)
Population Density
2,257/sq mi
Coordinates
42.3701°N, 87.9368°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Lake County County
Nearest Airport
Kenosha Regional (ENW) 16 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Wettest Month (Aug)4.02"
Driest Month (Feb)1.30"
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
7 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
129 km
10 km
Feb 10, 2010
2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois
M3.8
64 km
10 km
Sep 2, 1999
8 km W of Amboy, Illinois
M3.5
143 km
5 km
Nov 4, 2013
1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois
M3.2
64 km
1 km
Jul 15, 2024
2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois
M3.1
103 km
10 km
Mar 25, 2015
3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois
M2.9
41 km
6 km
Jun 10, 2013
4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois
M2.6
63 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
452 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 102 fatalities, 2,131 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Aug 28, 1990
EF5
84 km
16.4 mi
29
Apr 27, 1984
EF4
77 km
6.5 mi
1
Jun 29, 1979
EF4
98 km
5.4 mi
0
Jun 13, 1976
EF4
78 km
3.3 mi
2
Sep 28, 1972
EF4
11 km
5.2 mi
0
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
37 km
8.8 mi
1
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
83 km
25.5 mi
24
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
78 km
15.0 mi
33
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
40 km
9.1 mi
6
Jun 20, 2021
EF3
73 km
17.6 mi
0
Jan 7, 2008
EF3
38 km
10.8 mi
0
Jan 7, 2008
EF3
73 km
13.2 mi
0
Mar 27, 1991
EF3
89 km
15.0 mi
0
Apr 27, 1984
EF3
97 km
9.0 mi
1
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
89 km
22.6 mi
0
Nov 12, 1965
EF3
99 km
4.1 mi
0
Jul 19, 1963
EF3
35 km
10.6 mi
0
Nov 22, 2010
EF2
85 km
18.1 mi
0
Jul 22, 2010
EF2
59 km
1.0 mi
0
Jun 21, 2010
EF2
72 km
5.2 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
115 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: IBSP SOUTH F1 RX (690 acres, 2024).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2024
IBSP SOUTH F1 RX
690
11 km
2024
RX-HWY Y - SOUTH
553
94 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
23°F (-5°C)
1.7 in
Coldest
February
25°F (-4°C)
1.3 in
Driest
March
35°F (2°C)
2.5 in
April
46°F (8°C)
3.6 in
May
56°F (14°C)
3.3 in
June
66°F (19°C)
3.7 in
July
72°F (22°C)
3.8 in
Warmest
August
70°F (21°C)
4.0 in
Wettest
September
62°F (17°C)
3.7 in
October
51°F (11°C)
2.4 in
November
38°F (4°C)
2.5 in
December
26°F (-3°C)
2.2 in
Gurnee has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 23°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 34.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.0") and February the driest (1.3").
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