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Weather & Climate in Karnak, IL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Karnak enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 299 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 50.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 342 feet.
Temperature
35°F Jan (2°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 58.2°F |
| 8% above US avg | |
| January Average | 35°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 342 ft (104 m) |
| Area | 1.8 sq mi (4.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 280/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.2942°N, 88.9761°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Johnson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Barkley Regional (PAH) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 51.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 82.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 47.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
322 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| Sep 26, 1990 | 4 km SE of Chaffee, Missouri | M4.8 | 59 km | 1 km |
| Jun 18, 2002 | 6 km SW of Parkers Settlement, Indiana | M4.6 | 133 km | 16 km |
| May 4, 1991 | 2 km NNW of Risco, Missouri | M4.5 | 110 km | 11 km |
| Feb 5, 1994 | 2 km WNW of Dongola, Illinois | M4.2 | 21 km | 16 km |
| Jun 2, 2005 | 12 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M4.0 | 135 km | 15 km |
| Jun 6, 2003 | 1 km NE of Bardwell, Kentucky | M4.0 | 46 km | 3 km |
| Feb 21, 2012 | 4 km SSE of Bertrand, Missouri | M3.9 | 61 km | 8 km |
| Dec 7, 2000 | 7 km W of Evansville, Indiana | M3.9 | 140 km | 5 km |
| May 16, 2024 | 6 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M3.8 | 129 km | 8 km |
| Mar 2, 2010 | 2 km ENE of East Prairie, Missouri | M3.7 | 66 km | 8 km |
| Apr 24, 2019 | 12 km NNW of Dyersburg, Tennessee | M3.7 | 135 km | 14 km |
| Jan 16, 2018 | 4 km SW of Caruthersville, Missouri | M3.6 | 141 km | 9 km |
| Jan 2, 2006 | 3 km NNE of Eldorado, Illinois | M3.6 | 78 km | 7 km |
| Jun 20, 2005 | 4 km WSW of Blandville, Kentucky | M3.6 | 41 km | 19 km |
| Mar 15, 2017 | 9 km ESE of Wyatt, Missouri | M3.6 | 48 km | 8 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SE of Wyatt, Missouri | M3.5 | 51 km | 4 km |
| Jun 15, 2004 | 3 km S of Canalou, Missouri | M3.5 | 89 km | 5 km |
| May 1, 2016 | 5 km SE of New Grand Chain, Illinois | M3.5 | 9 km | 16 km |
| Sep 9, 2016 | 9 km NW of Tiptonville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 106 km | 10 km |
| Apr 28, 1993 | 8 km SSE of Ridgely, Tennessee | M3.4 | 129 km | 7 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
576 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 116 fatalities, 1,573 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 18, 1957 | EF5 | 91 km | 5.4 mi | 1 |
| Dec 10, 2021 | EF4 | 91 km | 168.5 mi | 57 |
| Feb 29, 2012 | EF4 | 53 km | 26.1 mi | 8 |
| Sep 22, 2006 | EF4 | 87 km | 27.5 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2003 | EF4 | 6 km | 33.0 mi | 2 |
| May 29, 1982 | EF4 | 58 km | 17.0 mi | 10 |
| Apr 3, 1968 | EF4 | 95 km | 50.6 mi | 2 |
| Mar 4, 1964 | EF4 | 81 km | 18.5 mi | 3 |
| Dec 18, 1957 | EF4 | 63 km | 28.3 mi | 11 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 86 km | 19.6 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 32 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 83 km | 34.1 mi | 1 |
| May 10, 2016 | EF3 | 63 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 74 km | 14.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 24 km | 42.5 mi | 3 |
| Sep 22, 2006 | EF3 | 19 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2005 | EF3 | 75 km | 44.0 mi | 1 |
| Nov 6, 2005 | EF3 | 83 km | 11.2 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2003 | EF3 | 62 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF3 | 24 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FRANKLIN CREEK RX (2,828 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | FRANKLIN CREEK RX | 2,828 | 96 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,286 | 41 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,282 | 96 km |
| 2021 | RED SHALE UNIT RX | 2,123 | 44 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,627 | 34 km |
| 2019 | ATWOOD RIDGE RX | 1,622 | 34 km |
| 2021 | GAP VIEW RX | 1,575 | 53 km |
| 2022 | DENNISON HOLLOW RX | 1,573 | 63 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,510 | 40 km |
| 2022 | ONE HORSE GAP RX | 1,502 | 52 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,493 | 65 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,447 | 62 km |
| 2021 | BEATTY BRANCH RX | 1,396 | 41 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 1,334 | 34 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,299 | 52 km |
| 2024 | RED SHALE RX | 1,259 | 43 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 1,257 | 35 km |
| 2021 | OZARK HILL PRAIRIE RX | 1,235 | 35 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,216 | 53 km |
| 2019 | KINKAID RX | 1,215 | 71 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35°F (2°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 3.5 in | |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 4.8 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 4.7 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.9 in | Wettest |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 3.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 4.4 in |
Karnak has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 35°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.9") and October the driest (3.1").