Weather & Climate in Kewanee, IL

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Kewanee experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 74°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 39.6 inches. The area receives 30.8 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 821 feet.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	49.6°F
	8% below US avg
January Average	22°F (-6°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	821 ft (250 m)
Area	6.7 sq mi (17.4 km²)
Population Density	1,861/sq mi
Coordinates	41.2391°N, 89.9257°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Stark County County
Nearest Airport	Quad Cities International (MLI) 33 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 39.6"

4% above US avg

Snowfall 30.8"

Wettest Month (Jun) 4.37"

Driest Month (Feb) 1.38"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	7.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	20.2 / 100
Community Resilience	83.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Very Low
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

6 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	89 km	10 km
Feb 10, 2010	2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois	M3.8	144 km	10 km
Sep 2, 1999	8 km W of Amboy, Illinois	M3.5	68 km	5 km
Jul 15, 2024	2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois	M3.1	111 km	10 km
Jun 10, 2013	4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois	M2.6	144 km	5 km
Mar 15, 2025	6 km W of Dwight, Illinois	M2.6	121 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

660 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 22 fatalities, 479 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 9, 2015	EF4	86 km	30.1 mi	2
Nov 17, 2013	EF4	75 km	46.4 mi	3
Jul 13, 2004	EF4	70 km	9.6 mi	0
Mar 29, 1981	EF4	49 km	5.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1976	EF4	51 km	4.9 mi	0
Feb 28, 2017	EF3	60 km	17.8 mi	0
Feb 28, 2017	EF3	82 km	11.5 mi	2
Apr 20, 2004	EF3	54 km	15.8 mi	8
May 10, 2003	EF3	88 km	17.5 mi	0
May 13, 1995	EF3	91 km	25.0 mi	0
May 9, 1995	EF3	13 km	22.0 mi	0
May 9, 1995	EF3	87 km	10.0 mi	0
Mar 13, 1990	EF3	50 km	15.5 mi	0
May 8, 1988	EF3	91 km	32.0 mi	0
Aug 5, 1979	EF3	92 km	5.7 mi	0
Aug 15, 1978	EF3	72 km	6.4 mi	0
Jun 30, 1977	EF3	86 km	6.1 mi	0
Mar 4, 1976	EF3	30 km	0.8 mi	0
Jul 23, 1975	EF3	77 km	14.0 mi	2
Jul 23, 1975	EF3	84 km	11.1 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

5 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNIT 3 (1,206 acres, 1999).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1999	UNIT 3	1,206	99 km
2002	HSB 03 2	1,130	99 km
2000	DESTRUST A	756	99 km
2006	HSB 003	674	99 km
2004	HSB 009	608	99 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	22°F (-6°C)	1.5 in	Coldest
February	26°F (-4°C)	1.4 in	Driest
March	38°F (3°C)	2.8 in
April	50°F (10°C)	3.9 in
May	61°F (16°C)	4.1 in
June	70°F (21°C)	4.4 in	Wettest
July	74°F (23°C)	4.0 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	4.1 in
September	64°F (18°C)	3.7 in
October	53°F (11°C)	2.8 in
November	39°F (4°C)	2.7 in
December	26°F (-3°C)	2.2 in

Kewanee has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 22°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.4") and February the driest (1.4").

View full profile of Kewanee, IL →