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Weather & Climate in Helmsburg, IN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Helmsburg experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 293 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 45.5 inches. The area receives 16.7 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 700 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-2°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 51.7°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 700 ft (213 m) |
| Area | 1.3 sq mi (3.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 254/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.2678°N, 86.2963°W |
| Timezone | America/Indiana/Indianapolis |
| County | Brown County County |
| Nearest Airport | Indianapolis International (IND) 31 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 19.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 47.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 59.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
14 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Jan 24, 1990 | 6 km WNW of Alton, Indiana | M3.9 | 127 km | 10 km |
| Jun 17, 2021 | Illinois-Indiana border region | M3.8 | 106 km | 6 km |
| Nov 11, 1991 | 3 km W of Flat Rock, Illinois | M3.8 | 129 km | 0 km |
| Jan 27, 1990 | 6 km N of Alton, Indiana | M3.8 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Sep 12, 2004 | 4 km NW of Manilla, Indiana | M3.8 | 66 km | 2 km |
| Dec 20, 1990 | 5 km S of Stilesville, Indiana | M3.7 | 46 km | 5 km |
| Apr 14, 2000 | 4 km NW of Heritage Lake, Indiana | M3.6 | 67 km | 5 km |
| Dec 17, 1990 | Illinois-Indiana border region | M3.2 | 110 km | 10 km |
| May 10, 2012 | 0 km NW of Emison, Indiana | M3.1 | 113 km | 11 km |
| Dec 16, 1996 | 3 km NNE of Terre Haute, Indiana | M3.1 | 98 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 2012 | 1 km NNW of Emison, Indiana | M2.7 | 113 km | 9 km |
| Mar 9, 1990 | 8 km ENE of New Amsterdam, Indiana | M2.7 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 1990 | 1 km W of Spring Mill, Kentucky | M2.7 | 137 km | 4 km |
| Jan 29, 1990 | 11 km S of Paoli, Indiana | M2.6 | 92 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
554 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 78 fatalities, 1,053 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF4 | 93 km | 45.1 mi | 11 |
| Jun 11, 1998 | EF4 | 64 km | 13.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 47 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 58 km | 11.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 9, 1980 | EF4 | 80 km | 11.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 52 km | 35.6 mi | 4 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 93 km | 35.6 mi | 11 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 77 km | 18.9 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 1972 | EF4 | 59 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 97 km | 45.7 mi | 28 |
| Apr 25, 1961 | EF4 | 55 km | 63.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 37 km | 5.9 mi | 2 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 34 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 80 km | 8.7 mi | 3 |
| May 25, 2011 | EF3 | 46 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 8, 2009 | EF3 | 54 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2008 | EF3 | 57 km | 9.7 mi | 1 |
| Nov 15, 2005 | EF3 | 97 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2005 | EF3 | 43 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 20, 2002 | EF3 | 28 km | 112.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: JPG 09 1 (6,113 acres, 1998).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1998 | JPG 09 1 | 6,113 | 87 km |
| 2005 | RX BURNPLAN AREA 2-06 | 5,054 | 88 km |
| 2007 | UNITS 8-9 2008 | 4,316 | 87 km |
| 2006 | UNIT 19 06 WUI | 3,412 | 88 km |
| 2003 | WUI 3 03 | 3,372 | 81 km |
| 2010 | WUI UNIT 28K | 3,230 | 81 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 3,122 | 80 km |
| 2002 | UNIT 8 | 2,753 | 87 km |
| 2005 | UNIT 3 05 | 2,511 | 81 km |
| 2001 | 01 UNIT 16 | 2,361 | 90 km |
| 2011 | WUI UNITS 0 AND 1 2011 | 2,215 | 87 km |
| 2004 | UNIT 19 | 2,004 | 87 km |
| 2003 | UNIT 8 03 | 1,971 | 86 km |
| 2008 | FY 09 UNIT 42 RX FALL 2008 | 1,942 | 83 km |
| 2000 | JPG 14 | 1,908 | 89 km |
| 2003 | UNIT 16 03 | 1,809 | 90 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,547 | 16 km |
| 2002 | UNIT 9 | 1,485 | 88 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,462 | 84 km |
| 2010 | TRACER | 1,408 | 81 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-2°C) | 2.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 32°F (-0°C) | 2.6 in | |
| March | 42°F (5°C) | 3.7 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.2 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 3.8 in | |
| December | 33°F (1°C) | 3.3 in |
Helmsburg has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 28°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.7") and January the driest (2.6").