Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rochester experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 73°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 40.8 inches. The area receives 30.1 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 781 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average
50.2°F
7% below US avg
January Average
25°F (-4°C)
July Average
73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
781 ft (238 m)
Area
5.8 sq mi (15.0 km²)
Population Density
1,366/sq mi
Coordinates
41.0604°N, 86.1983°W
Timezone
America/Indiana/Indianapolis
County
Fulton County County
Nearest Airport
South Bend International (SBN) 45 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall40.8"
7% above US avg
Snowfall30.1"
Wettest Month (Jun)4.09"
Driest Month (Feb)1.73"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
20.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability
45.3 / 100
Community Resilience
74.8 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Very Low
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
6 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.2.
May 2, 2015
5 km S of Galesburg, Michigan
M4.2
146 km
4 km
Dec 17, 1990
Illinois-Indiana border region
M3.2
132 km
10 km
Jan 26, 2012
5 km NE of Topeka, Indiana
M3.0
82 km
5 km
Apr 17, 1990
8 km NW of Fort Recovery, Ohio
M3.0
132 km
5 km
Jun 12, 2015
6 km NW of Convoy, Ohio
M2.6
121 km
5 km
Jan 30, 2004
2 km S of Rockford, Ohio
M2.5
137 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
565 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 127 fatalities, 2,214 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 26, 1994
EF4
90 km
14.0 mi
3
Mar 20, 1976
EF4
94 km
16.7 mi
0
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
97 km
21.8 mi
0
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
75 km
48.0 mi
25
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
58 km
37.0 mi
36
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
52 km
21.2 mi
31
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
89 km
52.5 mi
4
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
75 km
21.6 mi
5
Mar 6, 1956
EF4
76 km
1.9 mi
1
Mar 31, 2023
EF3
82 km
6.4 mi
0
May 27, 2019
EF3
87 km
12.8 mi
0
May 27, 2019
EF3
11 km
13.7 mi
0
Aug 24, 2016
EF3
67 km
8.6 mi
0
Nov 17, 2013
EF3
96 km
37.9 mi
0
Jun 5, 2010
EF3
47 km
7.5 mi
0
Oct 18, 2007
EF3
27 km
20.3 mi
0
May 30, 2004
EF3
37 km
4.5 mi
0
Oct 24, 2001
EF3
65 km
47.0 mi
1
Jun 11, 1998
EF3
74 km
18.5 mi
0
Jun 25, 1978
EF3
96 km
27.4 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
91 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: 17 INDU COWLES DUNES (522 acres, 2017).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2017
17 INDU COWLES DUNES
522
100 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
25°F (-4°C)
2.0 in
Coldest
February
27°F (-3°C)
1.7 in
Driest
March
38°F (3°C)
2.8 in
April
49°F (10°C)
3.9 in
May
60°F (16°C)
4.0 in
June
70°F (21°C)
4.1 in
Wettest
July
73°F (23°C)
3.9 in
Warmest
August
71°F (22°C)
3.6 in
September
64°F (18°C)
3.5 in
October
52°F (11°C)
2.9 in
November
40°F (5°C)
3.2 in
December
29°F (-2°C)
2.7 in
Rochester has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 25°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 38.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (1.7").
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