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Weather & Climate in Lake Forest, IL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lake Forest experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 39.5 inches. The area receives 33.6 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 682 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-4°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 49.6°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 260 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 682 ft (208 m) |
| Area | 17.2 sq mi (44.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,116/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.2354°N, 87.8573°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lake County County |
| Nearest Airport | Chicago O'Hare International (ORD) 18 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 96.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 14.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 78.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
8 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 | 122 km | 10 km |
| Feb 10, 2010 | 2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois | M3.8 | 61 km | 10 km |
| Sep 2, 1999 | 8 km W of Amboy, Illinois | M3.5 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Nov 4, 2013 | 1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois | M3.2 | 49 km | 1 km |
| Jul 15, 2024 | 2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois | M3.1 | 96 km | 10 km |
| Mar 25, 2015 | 3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois | M2.9 | 42 km | 6 km |
| Jun 10, 2013 | 4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois | M2.6 | 60 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 2025 | 6 km W of Dwight, Illinois | M2.6 | 139 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
469 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 103 fatalities, 2,143 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 28, 1990 | EF5 | 74 km | 16.4 mi | 29 |
| Apr 27, 1984 | EF4 | 93 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Jun 29, 1979 | EF4 | 85 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1976 | EF4 | 64 km | 3.3 mi | 2 |
| Sep 28, 1972 | EF4 | 5 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF4 | 35 km | 8.8 mi | 1 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF4 | 88 km | 25.5 mi | 24 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF4 | 63 km | 15.0 mi | 33 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 43 km | 9.1 mi | 6 |
| Jun 20, 2021 | EF3 | 61 km | 17.6 mi | 0 |
| Jan 7, 2008 | EF3 | 82 km | 13.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 7, 2008 | EF3 | 52 km | 10.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF3 | 76 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1984 | EF3 | 86 km | 9.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 12, 1976 | EF3 | 95 km | 12.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1976 | EF3 | 79 km | 22.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 24, 1967 | EF3 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 12, 1965 | EF3 | 82 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1963 | EF3 | 50 km | 10.6 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF2 | 92 km | 5.2 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 | 100 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
12 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,741 acres, 2019).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,741 | 99 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,664 | 99 km |
| 2021 | NORTHEAST PRAIRIE UNIT 3 | 978 | 98 km |
| 2024 | NORTHEAST PRAIRIE 3 RX | 938 | 96 km |
| 1986 | OGDEN DUNS | 863 | 88 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 738 | 96 km |
| 2021 | MIDDLE GRANT CREEK | 700 | 99 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 698 | 95 km |
| 2024 | IBSP SOUTH F1 RX | 690 | 19 km |
| 2021 | 21-INDU TOLLESTON DUNES EAST | 594 | 88 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 549 | 99 km |
| 2017 | 17 INDU COWLES DUNES | 522 | 91 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-4°C) | 1.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.3 in | Driest |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 2.5 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 2.6 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 2.2 in |
Lake Forest has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 24°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 34.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (1.3").