Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kempton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 75°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 44.4 inches. The area receives 24.7 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 731 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average
51.9°F
4% below US avg
January Average
25°F (-4°C)
July Average
75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
731 ft (223 m)
Area
0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²)
Population Density
1,300/sq mi
Coordinates
40.9355°N, 88.2363°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Livingston County County
Nearest Airport
Joliet Regional (JOT) 40 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall44.4"
17% above US avg
Snowfall24.7"
Wettest Month (May)3.94"
Driest Month (Feb)1.46"
Air Quality
AQI Median
43.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
71.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability
30.4 / 100
Community Resilience
90.0 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
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 Moderate
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
10 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
81 km
10 km
Jun 17, 2021
Illinois-Indiana border region
M3.8
147 km
6 km
Feb 10, 2010
2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois
M3.8
117 km
10 km
Sep 2, 1999
8 km W of Amboy, Illinois
M3.5
133 km
5 km
Nov 4, 2013
1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois
M3.2
102 km
1 km
Dec 17, 1990
Illinois-Indiana border region
M3.2
140 km
10 km
Jul 15, 2024
2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois
M3.1
88 km
10 km
Mar 25, 2015
3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois
M2.9
140 km
6 km
Jun 10, 2013
4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois
M2.6
119 km
5 km
Mar 15, 2025
6 km W of Dwight, Illinois
M2.6
28 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
728 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 88 fatalities, 1,395 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Aug 28, 1990
EF5
83 km
16.4 mi
29
Jul 13, 2004
EF4
93 km
9.6 mi
0
Jun 29, 1979
EF4
65 km
5.4 mi
0
Jun 13, 1976
EF4
84 km
3.3 mi
2
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
88 km
15.0 mi
33
Apr 17, 1963
EF4
30 km
57.3 mi
1
Jun 20, 2021
EF3
90 km
17.6 mi
0
Feb 28, 2017
EF3
95 km
17.8 mi
0
Feb 28, 2017
EF3
74 km
11.5 mi
2
Jun 22, 2015
EF3
43 km
16.3 mi
0
Nov 17, 2013
EF3
78 km
29.8 mi
0
Jun 5, 2010
EF3
43 km
7.8 mi
0
Jun 5, 2010
EF3
45 km
8.6 mi
0
Apr 20, 2004
EF3
94 km
15.8 mi
8
Apr 19, 1996
EF3
94 km
2.0 mi
1
Apr 19, 1996
EF3
96 km
4.0 mi
0
Mar 27, 1991
EF3
73 km
15.0 mi
0
Apr 27, 1984
EF3
69 km
9.0 mi
1
Apr 2, 1982
EF3
25 km
12.0 mi
0
Jun 30, 1977
EF3
96 km
6.1 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
141 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
49 km
2019
UNNAMED
1,664
49 km
2000
UNNAMED
1,602
56 km
2021
NORTHEAST PRAIRIE UNIT 3
978
51 km
2024
NORTHEAST PRAIRIE 3 RX
938
52 km
2021
UNNAMED
738
53 km
2021
MIDDLE GRANT CREEK
700
49 km
2019
UNNAMED
698
53 km
2017
UNNAMED
549
49 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
25°F (-4°C)
1.5 in
Coldest
February
27°F (-3°C)
1.5 in
Driest
March
38°F (4°C)
2.8 in
April
50°F (10°C)
3.5 in
May
62°F (16°C)
3.9 in
Wettest
June
71°F (22°C)
3.8 in
July
75°F (24°C)
3.9 in
Warmest
August
72°F (22°C)
3.5 in
September
65°F (18°C)
3.4 in
October
53°F (12°C)
2.6 in
November
40°F (5°C)
2.8 in
December
28°F (-2°C)
2.5 in
Kempton has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 25°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (1.5").