Weather & Climate in Rock Island, IL

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Rock Island experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 76°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 38.3 inches. The area receives 36.1 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44. 76% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 610 feet.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	51.2°F
	5% below US avg
January Average	23°F (-5°C)
July Average	76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	610 ft (186 m)
Area	17.1 sq mi (44.2 km²)
Population Density	2,097/sq mi
Coordinates	41.4702°N, 90.5831°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Rock Island County County
Nearest Airport	Quad Cities International (MLI) 4 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 38.3"

1% above US avg

Snowfall 36.1"

Wettest Month (Jul) 4.57"

Driest Month (Feb) 1.14"

Air Quality

AQI Median	44.0
Rating	Good
Good Days %	75.7%
Unhealthy Days	0

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	84.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	60.2 / 100
Community Resilience	87.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively High
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Relatively Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

2 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	100 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

632 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 6 fatalities, 249 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 29, 1981	EF4	58 km	5.1 mi	0
Apr 11, 1965	EF4	51 km	91.5 mi	1
Jun 1, 2007	EF3	55 km	15.8 mi	0
May 15, 1998	EF3	98 km	47.0 mi	0
May 9, 1995	EF3	68 km	22.0 mi	0
May 9, 1995	EF3	27 km	10.0 mi	0
Jun 19, 1993	EF3	95 km	14.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 1992	EF3	91 km	5.0 mi	0
Mar 13, 1990	EF3	29 km	15.5 mi	0
May 8, 1988	EF3	35 km	32.0 mi	0
Aug 15, 1978	EF3	28 km	6.4 mi	0
Mar 4, 1976	EF3	90 km	0.8 mi	0
Jun 13, 1975	EF3	92 km	6.6 mi	0
Jun 20, 1974	EF3	62 km	10.6 mi	1
Jun 14, 1974	EF3	12 km	48.6 mi	0
May 13, 1974	EF3	17 km	3.6 mi	0
Jul 17, 1972	EF3	91 km	81.5 mi	0
Jan 24, 1967	EF3	79 km	7.4 mi	0
Apr 19, 1966	EF3	8 km	2.0 mi	0
Aug 25, 1965	EF3	90 km	3.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

5 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNIT 3 (1,206 acres, 1999).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1999	UNIT 3	1,206	58 km
2002	HSB 03 2	1,130	59 km
2000	DESTRUST A	756	58 km
2006	HSB 003	674	59 km
2004	HSB 009	608	58 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	23°F (-5°C)	1.4 in	Coldest
February	27°F (-3°C)	1.1 in	Driest
March	38°F (3°C)	2.6 in
April	50°F (10°C)	3.7 in
May	61°F (16°C)	3.9 in
June	71°F (22°C)	4.3 in
July	76°F (24°C)	4.6 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	73°F (23°C)	4.0 in
September	65°F (18°C)	3.8 in
October	53°F (12°C)	2.7 in
November	39°F (4°C)	2.4 in
December	26°F (-3°C)	2.0 in

Rock Island has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 23°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.6") and February the driest (1.1").

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