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Weather & Climate in Rensselaer, IN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rensselaer 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 40.1 inches. The area receives 25.3 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 661 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-4°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 50.5°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 661 ft (201 m) |
| Area | 3.9 sq mi (10.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 751/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.9396°N, 87.1687°W |
| Timezone | America/Indiana/Indianapolis |
| County | Newton County County |
| Nearest Airport | Porter County Regional (VPZ) 37 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 11.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 25.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 52.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
5 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Jun 17, 2021 | Illinois-Indiana border region | M3.8 | 124 km | 6 km |
| Apr 14, 2000 | 4 km NW of Heritage Lake, Indiana | M3.6 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Nov 4, 2013 | 1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois | M3.2 | 110 km | 1 km |
| Dec 17, 1990 | Illinois-Indiana border region | M3.2 | 98 km | 10 km |
| Mar 15, 2025 | 6 km W of Dwight, Illinois | M2.6 | 113 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
585 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 96 fatalities, 2,190 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 26, 1994 | EF4 | 54 km | 14.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 20, 1976 | EF4 | 54 km | 16.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 49 km | 108.7 mi | 18 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF4 | 98 km | 15.0 mi | 33 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 90 km | 48.0 mi | 25 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 74 km | 21.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 17, 1963 | EF4 | 83 km | 57.3 mi | 1 |
| May 27, 2019 | EF3 | 88 km | 13.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2016 | EF3 | 98 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 72 km | 37.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2010 | EF3 | 51 km | 7.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2010 | EF3 | 89 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF3 | 93 km | 20.3 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2004 | EF3 | 90 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 24, 2001 | EF3 | 98 km | 47.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 2, 1982 | EF3 | 69 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1980 | EF3 | 96 km | 18.1 mi | 1 |
| Jun 25, 1978 | EF3 | 59 km | 27.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1977 | EF3 | 93 km | 11.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1976 | EF3 | 45 km | 38.5 mi | 1 |
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 | 88 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 | 97 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,664 | 92 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,602 | 34 km |
| 2021 | NORTHEAST PRAIRIE UNIT 3 | 978 | 86 km |
| 2024 | NORTHEAST PRAIRIE 3 RX | 938 | 88 km |
| 1986 | OGDEN DUNS | 863 | 74 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 738 | 89 km |
| 2021 | MIDDLE GRANT CREEK | 700 | 95 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 698 | 88 km |
| 2021 | 21-INDU TOLLESTON DUNES EAST | 594 | 75 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 549 | 96 km |
| 2017 | 17 INDU COWLES DUNES | 522 | 79 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-4°C) | 1.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.5 in | Driest |
| March | 38°F (3°C) | 2.9 in | |
| April | 49°F (10°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 3.6 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 2.9 in | |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 3.1 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 2.7 in |
Rensselaer has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 24°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 38.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (1.5").