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Weather & Climate in Lincoln, IL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lincoln experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 75°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 39.8 inches. The area receives 19.3 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 589 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 52.3°F |
| 3% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 589 ft (180 m) |
| Area | 6.4 sq mi (16.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,145/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.1507°N, 89.3703°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Logan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Central Il Regional/Bloomington-Normal (BMI) 33 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 58.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 38.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 82.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| 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: M3.4.
| Mar 2, 1990 | 9 km NW of Vernon, Illinois | M3.4 | 146 km | 0 km |
| May 13, 2025 | 7 km SSW of Lerna, Illinois | M3.3 | 125 km | 10 km |
| Jan 29, 1993 | 7 km WNW of Brownstown, Illinois | M3.2 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Jul 1, 2017 | 9 km SSE of Mulberry Grove, Illinois | M3.1 | 145 km | 17 km |
| Sep 5, 2004 | 3 km WNW of Saint Peter, Illinois | M2.9 | 147 km | 33 km |
| Mar 15, 2025 | 6 km W of Dwight, Illinois | M2.6 | 127 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
819 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 22 fatalities, 844 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF4 | 55 km | 46.4 mi | 3 |
| Jul 13, 2004 | EF4 | 72 km | 9.6 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 1995 | EF4 | 83 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1977 | EF4 | 15 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1976 | EF4 | 79 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1976 | EF4 | 62 km | 63.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1957 | EF4 | 53 km | 4.3 mi | 2 |
| Apr 4, 2023 | EF3 | 83 km | 19.9 mi | 0 |
| Dec 1, 2018 | EF3 | 82 km | 12.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 28, 2017 | EF3 | 85 km | 17.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 95 km | 18.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2011 | EF3 | 88 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Dec 31, 2010 | EF3 | 46 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 2009 | EF3 | 27 km | 24.3 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2003 | EF3 | 44 km | 17.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1999 | EF3 | 96 km | 10.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 19, 1996 | EF3 | 96 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1996 | EF3 | 19 km | 9.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1996 | EF3 | 40 km | 14.5 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 1995 | EF3 | 56 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 29°F (-1°C) | 1.6 in | Driest |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 3.1 in | |
| April | 53°F (11°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 67°F (19°C) | 3.3 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 in | |
| November | 42°F (5°C) | 2.9 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.6 in |
Lincoln has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 26°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (1.6").