Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Marengo experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 21°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 37.6 inches. The area receives 30.8 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 822 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average
48.2°F
11% below US avg
January Average
21°F (-6°C)
July Average
73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days
260 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
822 ft (251 m)
Area
8.9 sq mi (23.1 km²)
Population Density
800/sq mi
Coordinates
42.2466°N, 88.5975°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
McHenry County County
Nearest Airport
Chicago/Rockford International (RFD) 26 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall37.6"
1% below US avg
Snowfall30.8"
Wettest Month (Jun)4.25"
Driest Month (Feb)1.22"
Air Quality
AQI Median
43.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
90.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability
10.6 / 100
Community Resilience
84.0 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively High
Landslide
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
91 km
10 km
Feb 10, 2010
2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois
M3.8
32 km
10 km
Sep 2, 1999
8 km W of Amboy, Illinois
M3.5
91 km
5 km
Nov 4, 2013
1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois
M3.2
81 km
1 km
Jul 15, 2024
2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois
M3.1
67 km
10 km
Mar 25, 2015
3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois
M2.9
20 km
6 km
Jun 10, 2013
4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois
M2.6
29 km
5 km
Mar 15, 2025
6 km W of Dwight, Illinois
M2.6
129 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
622 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 113 fatalities, 2,307 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Aug 28, 1990
EF5
66 km
16.4 mi
29
Apr 9, 2015
EF4
72 km
30.1 mi
2
Apr 27, 1984
EF4
84 km
6.5 mi
1
Jun 29, 1979
EF4
86 km
5.4 mi
0
Jun 13, 1976
EF4
81 km
3.3 mi
2
Sep 28, 1972
EF4
60 km
5.2 mi
0
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
29 km
8.8 mi
1
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
90 km
15.0 mi
33
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
27 km
25.5 mi
24
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
18 km
9.1 mi
6
Jun 20, 2021
EF3
65 km
17.6 mi
0
Jan 7, 2008
EF3
40 km
10.8 mi
0
Jan 7, 2008
EF3
25 km
13.2 mi
0
Mar 27, 1991
EF3
85 km
15.0 mi
0
Apr 27, 1984
EF3
81 km
9.0 mi
1
Jun 5, 1980
EF3
99 km
10.7 mi
0
Aug 5, 1979
EF3
85 km
5.7 mi
0
Jun 30, 1977
EF3
81 km
6.1 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
72 km
22.6 mi
0
Jan 24, 1967
EF3
75 km
24.9 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
3 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: IBSP SOUTH F1 RX (690 acres, 2024).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2024
IBSP SOUTH F1 RX
690
67 km
2024
RX-HWY Y - SOUTH
553
81 km
2009
COLD SPRINGS
552
97 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
21°F (-6°C)
1.4 in
Coldest
February
24°F (-4°C)
1.2 in
Driest
March
35°F (2°C)
2.4 in
April
47°F (8°C)
3.7 in
May
59°F (15°C)
3.7 in
June
68°F (20°C)
4.3 in
Wettest
July
73°F (23°C)
4.0 in
Warmest
August
70°F (21°C)
4.2 in
September
62°F (17°C)
3.8 in
October
51°F (10°C)
2.6 in
November
37°F (3°C)
2.7 in
December
25°F (-4°C)
2.0 in
Marengo has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 21°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (1.2").