Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Park Ridge experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 32.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 653 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average
50.8°F
6% below US avg
January Average
25°F (-4°C)
July Average
75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days
260 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
653 ft (199 m)
Area
7.1 sq mi (18.5 km²)
Population Density
5,535/sq mi
Coordinates
42.0118°N, 87.8434°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Lake County County
Nearest Airport
Chicago O'Hare International (ORD) 4 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall32.3"
15% below US avg
Wettest Month (Aug)4.17"
Driest Month (Feb)1.42"
Air Quality
AQI Median
43.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively High
Risk Score
96.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability
14.1 / 100
Community Resilience
78.1 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very High
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively High
Hail
Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind
Very High
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively High
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Very High
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
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
107 km
10 km
Feb 10, 2010
2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois
M3.8
54 km
10 km
Sep 2, 1999
8 km W of Amboy, Illinois
M3.5
136 km
5 km
Nov 4, 2013
1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois
M3.2
24 km
1 km
Jul 15, 2024
2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois
M3.1
83 km
10 km
Mar 25, 2015
3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois
M2.9
47 km
6 km
Jun 10, 2013
4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois
M2.6
55 km
5 km
Mar 15, 2025
6 km W of Dwight, Illinois
M2.6
117 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
522 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 106 fatalities, 2,128 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Aug 28, 1990
EF5
56 km
16.4 mi
29
Jun 29, 1979
EF4
63 km
5.4 mi
0
Jun 13, 1976
EF4
40 km
3.3 mi
2
Sep 28, 1972
EF4
30 km
5.2 mi
0
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
92 km
25.5 mi
24
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
38 km
8.8 mi
1
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
38 km
15.0 mi
33
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
50 km
9.1 mi
6
Apr 17, 1963
EF4
95 km
57.3 mi
1
Jun 20, 2021
EF3
42 km
17.6 mi
0
Jun 22, 2015
EF3
90 km
16.3 mi
0
Jan 7, 2008
EF3
92 km
13.2 mi
0
Jan 7, 2008
EF3
72 km
10.8 mi
0
Mar 27, 1991
EF3
53 km
15.0 mi
0
Apr 27, 1984
EF3
65 km
9.0 mi
1
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
80 km
12.6 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
60 km
22.6 mi
0
Jun 20, 1974
EF3
89 km
4.5 mi
0
Oct 24, 1967
EF3
73 km
0.1 mi
0
Nov 12, 1965
EF3
60 km
4.1 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
87 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
76 km
2019
UNNAMED
1,664
75 km
2021
NORTHEAST PRAIRIE UNIT 3
978
74 km
2024
NORTHEAST PRAIRIE 3 RX
938
72 km
1986
OGDEN DUNS
863
69 km
2021
UNNAMED
738
72 km
2021
MIDDLE GRANT CREEK
700
76 km
2019
UNNAMED
698
71 km
2024
IBSP SOUTH F1 RX
690
44 km
2021
21-INDU TOLLESTON DUNES EAST
594
69 km
2017
UNNAMED
549
76 km
2017
17 INDU COWLES DUNES
522
74 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
25°F (-4°C)
1.7 in
Coldest
February
27°F (-3°C)
1.4 in
Driest
March
37°F (3°C)
2.5 in
April
48°F (9°C)
3.6 in
May
59°F (15°C)
3.5 in
June
69°F (21°C)
3.8 in
July
75°F (24°C)
3.7 in
Warmest
August
72°F (22°C)
4.2 in
Wettest
September
64°F (18°C)
3.5 in
October
53°F (11°C)
2.5 in
November
40°F (4°C)
2.8 in
December
27°F (-3°C)
2.3 in
Park Ridge has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 25°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (1.4").