Weather & Climate in Papineau, IL

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

Papineau experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 74°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 38.4 inches. The area receives 17.1 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 633 feet.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	50.7°F
	6% below US avg
January Average	24°F (-4°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	633 ft (193 m)
Area	0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density	519/sq mi
Coordinates	40.9677°N, 87.7163°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Iroquois County County
Nearest Airport	Joliet Regional (JOT) 45 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 38.4"

1% above US avg

Snowfall 17.1"

Wettest Month (Jun) 4.13"

Driest Month (Jan) 1.54"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	74.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	34.0 / 100
Community Resilience	65.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively High
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	113 km	10 km
Jun 17, 2021	Illinois-Indiana border region	M3.8	132 km	6 km
Feb 10, 2010	2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois	M3.8	129 km	10 km
Nov 4, 2013	1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois	M3.2	93 km	1 km
Dec 17, 1990	Illinois-Indiana border region	M3.2	115 km	10 km
Jul 15, 2024	2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois	M3.1	112 km	10 km
Mar 25, 2015	3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois	M2.9	146 km	6 km
Jun 10, 2013	4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois	M2.6	132 km	5 km
Mar 15, 2025	6 km W of Dwight, Illinois	M2.6	67 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

652 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 100 fatalities, 1,695 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Aug 28, 1990	EF5	95 km	16.4 mi	29
Apr 26, 1994	EF4	84 km	14.0 mi	3
Jun 29, 1979	EF4	75 km	5.4 mi	0
Jun 13, 1976	EF4	82 km	3.3 mi	2
Mar 20, 1976	EF4	82 km	16.7 mi	0
Apr 3, 1974	EF4	72 km	108.7 mi	18
Apr 21, 1967	EF4	79 km	15.0 mi	33
Apr 17, 1963	EF4	40 km	57.3 mi	1
Jun 20, 2021	EF3	95 km	17.6 mi	0
Jun 22, 2015	EF3	67 km	16.3 mi	0
Nov 17, 2013	EF3	90 km	29.8 mi	0
Jun 5, 2010	EF3	86 km	8.6 mi	0
Jun 5, 2010	EF3	11 km	7.8 mi	0
Apr 19, 1996	EF3	96 km	2.0 mi	1
Mar 27, 1991	EF3	75 km	15.0 mi	0
Apr 27, 1984	EF3	83 km	9.0 mi	1
Apr 2, 1982	EF3	24 km	12.0 mi	0
Jun 25, 1978	EF3	87 km	27.4 mi	0
Mar 12, 1976	EF3	4 km	38.5 mi	1
Mar 12, 1976	EF3	96 km	12.1 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	107 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	59 km
2019	UNNAMED	1,664	56 km
2000	UNNAMED	1,602	12 km
2021	NORTHEAST PRAIRIE UNIT 3	978	52 km
2024	NORTHEAST PRAIRIE 3 RX	938	53 km
1986	OGDEN DUNS	863	83 km
2021	UNNAMED	738	54 km
2021	MIDDLE GRANT CREEK	700	58 km
2019	UNNAMED	698	54 km
2021	21-INDU TOLLESTON DUNES EAST	594	83 km
2017	UNNAMED	549	58 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)	1.5 in	Coldest, Driest
February	27°F (-3°C)	1.5 in
March	38°F (3°C)	3.1 in
April	50°F (10°C)	3.9 in
May	61°F (16°C)	4.1 in
June	71°F (21°C)	4.1 in	Wettest
July	74°F (23°C)	4.1 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	3.6 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	29°F (-2°C)	2.8 in

Papineau has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 24°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 38.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.1") and January the driest (1.5").

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