Weather & Climate in Plainfield, IN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Plainfield 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. Annual precipitation totals 43.6 inches. The area receives 25.5 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. 94% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 741 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 53.6°F |
| 1% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 741 ft (226 m) |
| Area | 22.4 sq mi (58.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,329/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.6932°N, 86.3720°W |
| Timezone | America/Indiana/Indianapolis |
| County | Hendricks County County |
| Nearest Airport | Indianapolis International (IND) 4 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 93.8% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 76.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 91.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
10 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Jun 17, 2021 | Illinois-Indiana border region | M3.8 | 80 km | 6 km |
| Nov 11, 1991 | 3 km W of Flat Rock, Illinois | M3.8 | 145 km | 0 km |
| Sep 12, 2004 | 4 km NW of Manilla, Indiana | M3.8 | 62 km | 2 km |
| Dec 20, 1990 | 5 km S of Stilesville, Indiana | M3.7 | 25 km | 5 km |
| Apr 14, 2000 | 4 km NW of Heritage Lake, Indiana | M3.6 | 33 km | 5 km |
| Dec 17, 1990 | Illinois-Indiana border region | M3.2 | 71 km | 10 km |
| May 10, 2012 | 0 km NW of Emison, Indiana | M3.1 | 136 km | 11 km |
| Dec 16, 1996 | 3 km NNE of Terre Haute, Indiana | M3.1 | 91 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 2012 | 1 km NNW of Emison, Indiana | M2.7 | 136 km | 9 km |
| Jan 29, 1990 | 11 km S of Paoli, Indiana | M2.6 | 138 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
591 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 74 fatalities, 1,647 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 11, 1998 | EF4 | 37 km | 13.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 94 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1980 | EF4 | 77 km | 11.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 62 km | 18.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 84 km | 35.6 mi | 4 |
| May 14, 1972 | EF4 | 26 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 79 km | 48.0 mi | 25 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 81 km | 21.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 56 km | 45.7 mi | 28 |
| Apr 25, 1961 | EF4 | 51 km | 63.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 54 km | 5.9 mi | 2 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 29 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2016 | EF3 | 87 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 83 km | 37.9 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 2011 | EF3 | 93 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 8, 2009 | EF3 | 96 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2008 | EF3 | 65 km | 9.7 mi | 1 |
| Nov 15, 2005 | EF3 | 64 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 20, 2002 | EF3 | 56 km | 112.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1998 | EF3 | 83 km | 18.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
5 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,547 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,547 | 64 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 1,102 | 50 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 898 | 64 km |
| 2010 | FORK RIDGE RX | 697 | 79 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 670 | 79 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 33°F (0°C) | 2.4 in | Driest |
| March | 42°F (6°C) | 3.7 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.8 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 5.0 in | Wettest |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 4.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.2 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 3.5 in | |
| December | 33°F (1°C) | 2.9 in |
Plainfield has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 29°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.0") and February the driest (2.4").