Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Salem Lakes experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 37.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 759 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
47.4°F
12% below US avg
January Average
21°F (-6°C)
July Average
72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
260 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
759 ft (231 m)
Area
12.5 sq mi (32.4 km²)
Population Density
478/sq mi
Coordinates
42.5365°N, 88.1332°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
McHenry County County
Nearest Airport
Kenosha Regional (ENW) 11 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall37.5"
1% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jul)4.02"
Driest Month (Feb)1.26"
Air Quality
AQI Median
38.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
90.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability
10.6 / 100
Community Resilience
84.0 / 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 Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively High
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
7 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
135 km
10 km
Feb 10, 2010
2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois
M3.8
70 km
10 km
Sep 2, 1999
8 km W of Amboy, Illinois
M3.5
140 km
5 km
Nov 4, 2013
1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois
M3.2
86 km
1 km
Jul 15, 2024
2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois
M3.1
110 km
10 km
Mar 25, 2015
3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois
M2.9
43 km
6 km
Jun 10, 2013
4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois
M2.6
68 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
456 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 107 fatalities, 2,219 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Aug 28, 1990
EF5
97 km
16.4 mi
29
Apr 27, 1984
EF4
53 km
6.5 mi
1
Apr 4, 1981
EF4
100 km
1.8 mi
3
Jun 13, 1976
EF4
97 km
3.3 mi
2
Sep 28, 1972
EF4
36 km
5.2 mi
0
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
100 km
15.0 mi
33
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
74 km
25.5 mi
24
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
44 km
8.8 mi
1
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
41 km
9.1 mi
6
Aug 22, 1964
EF4
95 km
2.2 mi
0
Jun 20, 2021
EF3
88 km
17.6 mi
0
Jan 7, 2008
EF3
16 km
10.8 mi
0
Jan 7, 2008
EF3
59 km
13.2 mi
0
Jun 5, 1980
EF3
84 km
10.7 mi
0
Jul 19, 1963
EF3
11 km
10.6 mi
0
Jun 22, 2024
EF2
81 km
6.0 mi
0
Nov 22, 2010
EF2
72 km
18.1 mi
0
Jul 22, 2010
EF2
37 km
1.0 mi
0
Jun 21, 2010
EF2
48 km
5.2 mi
0
Jun 25, 1998
EF2
89 km
2.5 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
139 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: IBSP SOUTH F1 RX (690 acres, 2024).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2024
IBSP SOUTH F1 RX
690
30 km
2024
RX-HWY Y - SOUTH
553
69 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
21°F (-6°C)
1.6 in
Coldest
February
24°F (-5°C)
1.3 in
Driest
March
34°F (1°C)
2.4 in
April
46°F (8°C)
3.6 in
May
57°F (14°C)
3.2 in
June
66°F (19°C)
3.9 in
July
72°F (22°C)
4.0 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
69°F (21°C)
4.0 in
September
62°F (17°C)
3.8 in
October
51°F (10°C)
2.4 in
November
38°F (3°C)
2.6 in
December
25°F (-4°C)
2.1 in
Salem Lakes has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 21°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 35.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.0") and February the driest (1.3").
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