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Weather & Climate in Paxton, IN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Paxton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 293 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 47.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 524 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-1°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 54.4°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 524 ft (160 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 571/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.0217°N, 87.3885°W |
| Timezone | America/Indiana/Indianapolis |
| County | Sullivan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lawrenceville-Vincennes International (LWV) 21 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 20.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 30.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 63.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
52 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.2.
| Apr 18, 2008 | 7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M5.2 | 77 km | 14 km |
| Apr 18, 2008 | 9 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M4.7 | 75 km | 15 km |
| Jun 18, 2002 | 6 km SW of Parkers Settlement, Indiana | M4.6 | 118 km | 16 km |
| Apr 21, 2008 | 7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M4.0 | 77 km | 18 km |
| Dec 7, 2000 | 7 km W of Evansville, Indiana | M3.9 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Jan 24, 1990 | 6 km WNW of Alton, Indiana | M3.9 | 125 km | 10 km |
| Jun 17, 2021 | Illinois-Indiana border region | M3.8 | 90 km | 6 km |
| Jan 27, 1990 | 6 km N of Alton, Indiana | M3.8 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Nov 11, 1991 | 3 km W of Flat Rock, Illinois | M3.8 | 31 km | 0 km |
| Sep 19, 2017 | 4 km N of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.8 | 80 km | 12 km |
| Apr 25, 2008 | 8 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.7 | 76 km | 13 km |
| Dec 20, 1990 | 5 km S of Stilesville, Indiana | M3.7 | 91 km | 5 km |
| Apr 14, 2000 | 4 km NW of Heritage Lake, Indiana | M3.6 | 99 km | 5 km |
| Nov 20, 2012 | 7 km N of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.6 | 77 km | 19 km |
| Jun 5, 2008 | 8 km WNW of Mount Carmel, Illinois | M3.4 | 75 km | 16 km |
| May 30, 2015 | 4 km ENE of Geff, Illinois | M3.4 | 105 km | 26 km |
| May 1, 2008 | 8 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.3 | 75 km | 14 km |
| May 13, 2025 | 7 km SSW of Lerna, Illinois | M3.3 | 89 km | 10 km |
| Dec 17, 1990 | Illinois-Indiana border region | M3.2 | 120 km | 10 km |
| Jan 29, 1993 | 7 km WNW of Brownstown, Illinois | M3.2 | 142 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
460 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 17 fatalities, 560 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 79 km | 11.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 98 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 62 km | 13.0 mi | 6 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 77 km | 12.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 7, 1989 | EF4 | 69 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 65 km | 5.9 mi | 2 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 60 km | 40.9 mi | 6 |
| May 25, 2011 | EF3 | 90 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 8, 2009 | EF3 | 70 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2005 | EF3 | 44 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 20, 2002 | EF3 | 70 km | 112.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF3 | 69 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF3 | 86 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF3 | 88 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF3 | 51 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1989 | EF3 | 88 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 10, 1986 | EF3 | 84 km | 35.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 1974 | EF3 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 1974 | EF3 | 90 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 98 km | 35.8 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,547 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,547 | 98 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 898 | 98 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-1°C) | 2.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 32°F (0°C) | 2.4 in | |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 3.8 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 4.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (24°C) | 3.8 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.2 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 2.9 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 3.8 in | |
| December | 33°F (1°C) | 3.2 in |
Paxton has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 29°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.7") and January the driest (2.4").