Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Onarga experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 25°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 44.4 inches. The area receives 24.7 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 676 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average
51.9°F
4% below US avg
January Average
25°F (-4°C)
July Average
75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
676 ft (206 m)
Area
1.7 sq mi (4.3 km²)
Population Density
816/sq mi
Coordinates
40.7153°N, 88.0108°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Ford County County
Nearest Airport
Vermilion Regional (DNV) 42 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall44.4"
17% above US avg
Snowfall24.7"
Wettest Month (May)3.94"
Driest Month (Feb)1.54"
Air Quality
AQI Median
43.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
26.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability
39.2 / 100
Community Resilience
91.8 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Very Low
Lightning
Very Low
Ice Storm
Very Low
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
9 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
111 km
10 km
Jun 17, 2021
Illinois-Indiana border region
M3.8
116 km
6 km
Feb 10, 2010
2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois
M3.8
145 km
10 km
Nov 4, 2013
1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois
M3.2
122 km
1 km
Dec 17, 1990
Illinois-Indiana border region
M3.2
109 km
10 km
Jul 15, 2024
2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois
M3.1
119 km
10 km
Dec 16, 1996
3 km NNE of Terre Haute, Indiana
M3.1
145 km
5 km
Jun 10, 2013
4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois
M2.6
148 km
5 km
Mar 15, 2025
6 km W of Dwight, Illinois
M2.6
58 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
699 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 36 fatalities, 798 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 26, 1994
EF4
93 km
14.0 mi
3
Jun 29, 1979
EF4
91 km
5.4 mi
0
Mar 20, 1976
EF4
90 km
16.7 mi
0
Apr 3, 1974
EF4
78 km
108.7 mi
18
Apr 17, 1963
EF4
52 km
57.3 mi
1
Jun 22, 2015
EF3
73 km
16.3 mi
0
Nov 17, 2013
EF3
55 km
29.8 mi
0
Jun 5, 2010
EF3
44 km
7.8 mi
0
Jun 5, 2010
EF3
74 km
8.6 mi
0
Apr 19, 1996
EF3
66 km
2.0 mi
1
Apr 19, 1996
EF3
75 km
4.0 mi
0
Mar 27, 1991
EF3
96 km
15.0 mi
0
Apr 27, 1984
EF3
97 km
9.0 mi
1
Apr 2, 1982
EF3
37 km
12.0 mi
0
Jun 25, 1978
EF3
94 km
27.4 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
41 km
38.5 mi
1
Jun 20, 1974
EF3
80 km
4.5 mi
0
Apr 3, 1974
EF3
84 km
5.9 mi
1
Apr 3, 1974
EF3
66 km
25.9 mi
0
Apr 3, 1974
EF3
85 km
14.9 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
9 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (1,741 acres, 2019).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2019
UNNAMED
1,741
75 km
2019
UNNAMED
1,664
73 km
2000
UNNAMED
1,602
48 km
2021
NORTHEAST PRAIRIE UNIT 3
978
72 km
2024
NORTHEAST PRAIRIE 3 RX
938
74 km
2021
UNNAMED
738
75 km
2021
MIDDLE GRANT CREEK
700
74 km
2019
UNNAMED
698
75 km
2017
UNNAMED
549
74 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
25°F (-4°C)
1.6 in
Coldest
February
28°F (-2°C)
1.5 in
Driest
March
39°F (4°C)
2.9 in
April
50°F (10°C)
3.5 in
May
62°F (17°C)
3.9 in
Wettest
June
71°F (22°C)
3.7 in
July
75°F (24°C)
3.9 in
Warmest
August
72°F (22°C)
3.5 in
September
65°F (19°C)
3.4 in
October
54°F (12°C)
2.6 in
November
41°F (5°C)
2.8 in
December
29°F (-2°C)
2.6 in
Onarga has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 25°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (1.5").