Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Knox experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 72°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 42.2 inches. The area receives 28.5 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. 87% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 711 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-5°C)72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
49.5°F
8% below US avg
January Average
24°F (-5°C)
July Average
72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
711 ft (217 m)
Area
4.0 sq mi (10.3 km²)
Population Density
970/sq mi
Coordinates
41.2910°N, 86.6212°W
Timezone
America/Indiana/Indianapolis
County
Starke County County
Nearest Airport
Porter County Regional (VPZ) 23 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall42.2"
11% above US avg
Snowfall28.5"
Wettest Month (Jun)4.25"
Driest Month (Feb)1.69"
Air Quality
AQI Median
38.0
Rating
Good
Good Days %
87.2%
Unhealthy Days
0
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
24.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability
41.3 / 100
Community Resilience
73.5 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Very Low
Drought
No Rating
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.2.
May 2, 2015
5 km S of Galesburg, Michigan
M4.2
144 km
4 km
Nov 4, 2013
1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois
M3.2
115 km
1 km
Dec 17, 1990
Illinois-Indiana border region
M3.2
141 km
10 km
Jan 26, 2012
5 km NE of Topeka, Indiana
M3.0
100 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
530 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 113 fatalities, 1,434 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 26, 1994
EF4
94 km
14.0 mi
3
Mar 20, 1976
EF4
97 km
16.7 mi
0
Apr 3, 1974
EF4
98 km
108.7 mi
18
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
53 km
21.2 mi
31
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
48 km
37.0 mi
36
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
85 km
21.6 mi
5
May 27, 2019
EF3
54 km
13.7 mi
0
Aug 24, 2016
EF3
99 km
8.6 mi
0
Jun 5, 2010
EF3
81 km
7.5 mi
0
Jun 5, 2010
EF3
98 km
7.8 mi
0
Oct 18, 2007
EF3
38 km
20.3 mi
0
May 30, 2004
EF3
75 km
4.5 mi
0
Oct 24, 2001
EF3
40 km
47.0 mi
1
Jul 7, 1977
EF3
98 km
11.6 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
3 km
12.1 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
96 km
38.5 mi
1
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
54 km
12.6 mi
0
Jun 20, 1974
EF3
67 km
4.5 mi
0
Apr 3, 1974
EF3
97 km
36.2 mi
5
May 16, 1968
EF3
90 km
50.3 mi
1
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
50 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
4 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (1,602 acres, 2000).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2000
UNNAMED
1,602
86 km
1986
OGDEN DUNS
863
61 km
2021
21-INDU TOLLESTON DUNES EAST
594
60 km
2017
17 INDU COWLES DUNES
522
56 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
24°F (-5°C)
1.9 in
Coldest
February
27°F (-3°C)
1.7 in
Driest
March
38°F (3°C)
2.8 in
April
49°F (10°C)
3.7 in
May
60°F (16°C)
3.8 in
June
69°F (21°C)
4.3 in
Wettest
July
72°F (22°C)
3.9 in
Warmest
August
71°F (22°C)
3.7 in
September
64°F (18°C)
3.6 in
October
52°F (11°C)
3.0 in
November
40°F (5°C)
3.2 in
December
29°F (-2°C)
2.7 in
Knox has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 24°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 38.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (1.7").