Weather & Climate in Lansing, IL

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

Lansing experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 77°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 40.9 inches. The area receives 38.8 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 630 feet.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	52.5°F
	3% below US avg
January Average	26°F (-3°C)
July Average	77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	630 ft (192 m)
Area	7.5 sq mi (19.3 km²)
Population Density	3,809/sq mi
Coordinates	41.5650°N, 87.5460°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Lake County County
Nearest Airport	Gary/Chicago International (GYY) 8 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 40.9"

8% above US avg

Snowfall 38.8"

Wettest Month (Jun) 4.17"

Driest Month (Feb) 1.50"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	95.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	48.7 / 100
Community Resilience	73.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very High
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively High
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	No Rating
Cold Wave	Very High
Landslide	Very Low
Coastal Flood	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

7 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	113 km	10 km
Feb 10, 2010	2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois	M3.8	91 km	10 km
Nov 4, 2013	1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois	M3.2	35 km	1 km
Jul 15, 2024	2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois	M3.1	97 km	10 km
Mar 25, 2015	3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois	M2.9	97 km	6 km
Jun 10, 2013	4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois	M2.6	93 km	5 km
Mar 15, 2025	6 km W of Dwight, Illinois	M2.6	96 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

553 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 90 fatalities, 1,776 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Aug 28, 1990	EF5	68 km	16.4 mi	29
Jun 29, 1979	EF4	57 km	5.4 mi	0
Jun 13, 1976	EF4	40 km	3.3 mi	2
Sep 28, 1972	EF4	84 km	5.2 mi	0
Apr 21, 1967	EF4	89 km	8.8 mi	1
Apr 21, 1967	EF4	26 km	15.0 mi	33
Apr 17, 1963	EF4	63 km	57.3 mi	1
Jun 20, 2021	EF3	58 km	17.6 mi	0
Jun 22, 2015	EF3	75 km	16.3 mi	0
Jun 5, 2010	EF3	58 km	7.8 mi	0
Oct 24, 2001	EF3	93 km	47.0 mi	1
Mar 27, 1991	EF3	46 km	15.0 mi	0
Apr 27, 1984	EF3	65 km	9.0 mi	1
Apr 2, 1982	EF3	68 km	12.0 mi	0
Mar 12, 1976	EF3	67 km	22.6 mi	0
Mar 12, 1976	EF3	81 km	12.1 mi	0
Mar 12, 1976	EF3	50 km	12.6 mi	0
Mar 12, 1976	EF3	64 km	38.5 mi	1
Jun 20, 1974	EF3	33 km	4.5 mi	0
Oct 24, 1967	EF3	27 km	0.1 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	57 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

13 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,741 acres, 2019).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2019	UNNAMED	1,741	56 km
2019	UNNAMED	1,664	52 km
2000	UNNAMED	1,602	64 km
2021	NORTHEAST PRAIRIE UNIT 3	978	46 km
2024	NORTHEAST PRAIRIE 3 RX	938	46 km
1986	OGDEN DUNS	863	28 km
2021	UNNAMED	738	46 km
2021	MIDDLE GRANT CREEK	700	55 km
2019	UNNAMED	698	46 km
2024	IBSP SOUTH F1 RX	690	96 km
2021	21-INDU TOLLESTON DUNES EAST	594	29 km
2017	UNNAMED	549	55 km
2017	17 INDU COWLES DUNES	522	38 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	26°F (-3°C)	1.7 in	Coldest
February	27°F (-3°C)	1.5 in	Driest
March	38°F (3°C)	2.7 in
April	49°F (9°C)	3.9 in
May	60°F (15°C)	3.9 in
June	70°F (21°C)	4.2 in	Wettest
July	77°F (25°C)	3.9 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	3.8 in
September	65°F (18°C)	3.6 in
October	53°F (12°C)	2.8 in
November	41°F (5°C)	3.2 in
December	28°F (-2°C)	2.6 in

Lansing has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 26°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (1.5").

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