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Weather & Climate in Schaefer Lake, IN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Schaefer Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 293 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 47.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 16.3 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 706 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 54.1°F |
| 0% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 706 ft (215 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,114/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.2817°N, 85.7498°W |
| Timezone | America/Indiana/Indianapolis |
| County | Bartholomew County County |
| Nearest Airport | Indianapolis International (IND) 42 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 70.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 23.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 78.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
11 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Jan 24, 1990 | 6 km WNW of Alton, Indiana | M3.9 | 142 km | 10 km |
| Jun 17, 2021 | Illinois-Indiana border region | M3.8 | 145 km | 6 km |
| Jan 27, 1990 | 6 km N of Alton, Indiana | M3.8 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Sep 12, 2004 | 4 km NW of Manilla, Indiana | M3.8 | 37 km | 2 km |
| Dec 20, 1990 | 5 km S of Stilesville, Indiana | M3.7 | 83 km | 5 km |
| Apr 14, 2000 | 4 km NW of Heritage Lake, Indiana | M3.6 | 101 km | 5 km |
| Dec 17, 1990 | Illinois-Indiana border region | M3.2 | 141 km | 10 km |
| Dec 16, 1996 | 3 km NNE of Terre Haute, Indiana | M3.1 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Mar 9, 1990 | 8 km ENE of New Amsterdam, Indiana | M2.7 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 1990 | 1 km W of Spring Mill, Kentucky | M2.7 | 127 km | 4 km |
| Jan 29, 1990 | 11 km S of Paoli, Indiana | M2.6 | 111 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
558 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 40 fatalities, 1,296 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 83 km | 20.8 mi | 3 |
| Jun 11, 1998 | EF4 | 58 km | 13.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF4 | 96 km | 26.7 mi | 1 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 72 km | 33.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 88 km | 11.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 66 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1980 | EF4 | 44 km | 11.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 17 km | 35.6 mi | 4 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 53 km | 18.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 81 km | 35.6 mi | 11 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 95 km | 18.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 70 km | 27.1 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 1972 | EF4 | 61 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 1961 | EF4 | 33 km | 63.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 42 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2023 | EF3 | 84 km | 5.9 mi | 2 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 38 km | 8.7 mi | 3 |
| May 25, 2011 | EF3 | 71 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 8, 2009 | EF3 | 88 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2008 | EF3 | 21 km | 9.7 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: JPG 09 1 (6,113 acres, 1998).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1998 | JPG 09 1 | 6,113 | 53 km |
| 2005 | RX BURNPLAN AREA 2-06 | 5,054 | 54 km |
| 2007 | UNITS 8-9 2008 | 4,316 | 54 km |
| 2006 | UNIT 19 06 WUI | 3,412 | 55 km |
| 2003 | WUI 3 03 | 3,372 | 44 km |
| 2010 | WUI UNIT 28K | 3,230 | 43 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 3,122 | 43 km |
| 2002 | UNIT 8 | 2,753 | 54 km |
| 2005 | UNIT 3 05 | 2,511 | 44 km |
| 2001 | 01 UNIT 16 | 2,361 | 55 km |
| 2011 | WUI UNITS 0 AND 1 2011 | 2,215 | 54 km |
| 2004 | UNIT 19 | 2,004 | 55 km |
| 2003 | UNIT 8 03 | 1,971 | 52 km |
| 2008 | FY 09 UNIT 42 RX FALL 2008 | 1,942 | 48 km |
| 2000 | JPG 14 | 1,908 | 55 km |
| 2003 | UNIT 16 03 | 1,809 | 56 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,547 | 48 km |
| 2002 | UNIT 9 | 1,485 | 55 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,462 | 49 km |
| 2010 | TRACER | 1,408 | 42 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 31°F (-0°C) | 2.5 in | |
| March | 42°F (5°C) | 3.8 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 67°F (19°C) | 3.0 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 2.9 in | |
| November | 44°F (6°C) | 3.7 in | |
| December | 33°F (1°C) | 3.2 in |
Schaefer Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 30°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.7") and January the driest (2.5").