All Countries
Weather & Climate in Preston, IA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Preston experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 37.8 inches. The area receives 31.9 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 668 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 48.7°F |
| 10% below US avg | |
| January Average | 21°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 260 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 668 ft (204 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,229/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.0492°N, 90.3970°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Jackson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Dubuque Regional (DBQ) 29 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 36.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 15.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 75.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3 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 | 140 km | 10 km |
| Sep 2, 1999 | 8 km W of Amboy, Illinois | M3.5 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 2024 | 2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois | M3.1 | 147 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
628 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 7 fatalities, 233 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 9, 2015 | EF4 | 94 km | 30.1 mi | 2 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF4 | 87 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 1981 | EF4 | 55 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 1974 | EF4 | 95 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 49 km | 91.5 mi | 1 |
| May 9, 1995 | EF3 | 65 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 1995 | EF3 | 97 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 1993 | EF3 | 40 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1992 | EF3 | 62 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1990 | EF3 | 51 km | 15.5 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1988 | EF3 | 61 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1988 | EF3 | 46 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 5, 1979 | EF3 | 68 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1978 | EF3 | 92 km | 6.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1974 | EF3 | 13 km | 10.6 mi | 1 |
| Jun 14, 1974 | EF3 | 78 km | 48.6 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 1974 | EF3 | 51 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 1971 | EF3 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 9, 1970 | EF3 | 55 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1967 | EF3 | 65 km | 27.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COLD SPRINGS (552 acres, 2009).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2009 | COLD SPRINGS | 552 | 94 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°F (-6°C) | 1.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 24°F (-4°C) | 1.2 in | Driest |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 2.4 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 3.4 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 69°F (21°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 3.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 4.3 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 2.4 in | |
| December | 24°F (-4°C) | 1.8 in |
Preston has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 21°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (1.2").