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Weather & Climate in Lafayette, IN

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

Lafayette experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 26°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 37.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 679 feet.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average51.4°F
5% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation679 ft (207 m)
Area27.7 sq mi (71.8 km²)
Population Density2,326/sq mi
Coordinates40.3994°N, 86.8628°W
TimezoneAmerica/Indiana/Indianapolis
CountyTippecanoe County County
Nearest AirportVermilion Regional (DNV)
41 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 37.0"
3% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jun) 4.09"
Driest Month (Feb) 1.65"

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score81.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability29.8 / 100
Community Resilience65.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively High
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively High
Landslide Relatively 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: M3.8.

Jun 17, 2021 Illinois-Indiana border region M3.8 73 km 6 km
Sep 12, 2004 4 km NW of Manilla, Indiana M3.8 135 km 2 km
Dec 20, 1990 5 km S of Stilesville, Indiana M3.7 92 km 5 km
Apr 14, 2000 4 km NW of Heritage Lake, Indiana M3.6 72 km 5 km
Dec 17, 1990 Illinois-Indiana border region M3.2 40 km 10 km
Dec 16, 1996 3 km NNE of Terre Haute, Indiana M3.1 110 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

599 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 84 fatalities, 1,751 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Apr 26, 1994 EF4 12 km 14.0 mi 3
Mar 20, 1976 EF4 14 km 16.7 mi 0
Apr 3, 1974 EF4 25 km 108.7 mi 18
May 14, 1972 EF4 97 km 30.0 mi 0
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 8 km 21.8 mi 0
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 42 km 45.7 mi 28
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 41 km 48.0 mi 25
May 27, 2019 EF3 90 km 13.7 mi 0
Aug 24, 2016 EF3 58 km 8.6 mi 0
Nov 17, 2013 EF3 6 km 37.9 mi 0
Jun 5, 2010 EF3 63 km 7.5 mi 0
May 30, 2004 EF3 72 km 4.5 mi 0
Jun 11, 1998 EF3 67 km 18.5 mi 0
Apr 19, 1996 EF3 97 km 2.0 mi 1
Nov 22, 1992 EF3 76 km 12.0 mi 0
Nov 22, 1992 EF3 86 km 9.0 mi 0
Jun 2, 1980 EF3 40 km 18.1 mi 1
Jun 25, 1978 EF3 88 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 25, 1978 EF3 10 km 27.4 mi 0
Jul 7, 1977 EF3 51 km 11.6 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 7 145 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,602 acres, 2000).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2000 UNNAMED 1,602 89 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 26°F (-3°C) 1.8 in Coldest
February 29°F (-2°C) 1.7 in Driest
March 40°F (4°C) 2.8 in
April 51°F (10°C) 3.7 in
May 62°F (16°C) 3.9 in
June 71°F (22°C) 4.1 in Wettest
July 74°F (23°C) 3.7 in Warmest
August 73°F (23°C) 4.0 in
September 66°F (19°C) 3.0 in
October 54°F (12°C) 2.6 in
November 42°F (5°C) 3.0 in
December 30°F (-1°C) 2.8 in

Lafayette has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 26°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (1.7").

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