Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Hinckley experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 71°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 37.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 749 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
47.8°F
11% below US avg
January Average
21°F (-6°C)
July Average
71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
749 ft (228 m)
Area
0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density
2,658/sq mi
Coordinates
41.7714°N, 88.6404°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
DeKalb County County
Nearest Airport
Joliet Regional (JOT) 30 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall37.4"
2% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jun)4.21"
Driest Month (Feb)1.26"
Air Quality
AQI Median
43.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
80.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability
29.2 / 100
Community Resilience
75.9 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively High
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
41 km
10 km
Feb 10, 2010
2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois
M3.8
25 km
10 km
Sep 2, 1999
8 km W of Amboy, Illinois
M3.5
66 km
5 km
Nov 4, 2013
1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois
M3.2
68 km
1 km
Jul 15, 2024
2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois
M3.1
15 km
10 km
Mar 25, 2015
3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois
M2.9
52 km
6 km
Jun 10, 2013
4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois
M2.6
27 km
5 km
Mar 15, 2025
6 km W of Dwight, Illinois
M2.6
77 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
638 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 122 fatalities, 2,251 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Aug 28, 1990
EF5
26 km
16.4 mi
29
Apr 9, 2015
EF4
55 km
30.1 mi
2
Jun 29, 1979
EF4
44 km
5.4 mi
0
Jun 13, 1976
EF4
54 km
3.3 mi
2
Sep 28, 1972
EF4
85 km
5.2 mi
0
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
68 km
15.0 mi
33
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
52 km
8.8 mi
1
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
55 km
25.5 mi
24
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
54 km
9.1 mi
6
Apr 17, 1963
EF4
80 km
57.3 mi
1
Jun 20, 2021
EF3
37 km
17.6 mi
0
Feb 28, 2017
EF3
56 km
11.5 mi
2
Jun 22, 2015
EF3
56 km
16.3 mi
0
Jun 5, 2010
EF3
75 km
8.6 mi
0
Jan 7, 2008
EF3
90 km
10.8 mi
0
Jan 7, 2008
EF3
71 km
13.2 mi
0
Apr 20, 2004
EF3
79 km
15.8 mi
8
Mar 27, 1991
EF3
50 km
15.0 mi
0
Apr 27, 1984
EF3
36 km
9.0 mi
1
Apr 2, 1982
EF3
97 km
12.0 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
146 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
9 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (1,741 acres, 2019).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2019
UNNAMED
1,741
59 km
2019
UNNAMED
1,664
63 km
2021
NORTHEAST PRAIRIE UNIT 3
978
68 km
2024
NORTHEAST PRAIRIE 3 RX
938
66 km
2021
UNNAMED
738
65 km
2021
MIDDLE GRANT CREEK
700
60 km
2019
UNNAMED
698
66 km
2024
IBSP SOUTH F1 RX
690
98 km
2017
UNNAMED
549
60 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
21°F (-6°C)
1.5 in
Coldest
February
25°F (-4°C)
1.3 in
Driest
March
37°F (3°C)
2.6 in
April
48°F (9°C)
3.7 in
May
60°F (16°C)
3.9 in
June
69°F (21°C)
4.2 in
Wettest
July
71°F (22°C)
4.0 in
Warmest
August
71°F (22°C)
3.9 in
September
63°F (17°C)
3.8 in
October
52°F (11°C)
2.6 in
November
38°F (4°C)
3.0 in
December
26°F (-3°C)
2.2 in
Hinckley has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 21°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (1.3").