Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Shelby experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 23°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 39.9 inches. The area receives 29.7 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. 91% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 642 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average
49.7°F
8% below US avg
January Average
23°F (-5°C)
July Average
73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
642 ft (196 m)
Area
1.3 sq mi (3.3 km²)
Population Density
201/sq mi
Coordinates
41.1934°N, 87.3427°W
Timezone
America/Indiana/Indianapolis
County
Jasper County County
Nearest Airport
Porter County Regional (VPZ) 25 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall39.9"
5% above US avg
Snowfall29.7"
Wettest Month (Jun)4.21"
Driest Month (Feb)1.54"
Air Quality
AQI Median
36.0
Rating
Good
Good Days %
90.7%
Unhealthy Days
0
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
32.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability
17.0 / 100
Community Resilience
62.6 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Very Low
Lightning
Very Low
Ice Storm
Very Low
Drought
No Rating
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
8 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
133 km
10 km
Feb 10, 2010
2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois
M3.8
129 km
10 km
Nov 4, 2013
1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois
M3.2
79 km
1 km
Dec 17, 1990
Illinois-Indiana border region
M3.2
128 km
10 km
Jul 15, 2024
2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois
M3.1
125 km
10 km
Mar 25, 2015
3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois
M2.9
140 km
6 km
Jun 10, 2013
4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois
M2.6
131 km
5 km
Mar 15, 2025
6 km W of Dwight, Illinois
M2.6
98 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
605 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 110 fatalities, 1,990 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Aug 28, 1990
EF5
100 km
16.4 mi
29
Apr 26, 1994
EF4
86 km
14.0 mi
3
Jun 29, 1979
EF4
83 km
5.4 mi
0
Jun 13, 1976
EF4
76 km
3.3 mi
2
Mar 20, 1976
EF4
86 km
16.7 mi
0
Apr 3, 1974
EF4
79 km
108.7 mi
18
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
67 km
15.0 mi
33
Apr 17, 1963
EF4
63 km
57.3 mi
1
Jun 20, 2021
EF3
94 km
17.6 mi
0
Jun 22, 2015
EF3
88 km
16.3 mi
0
Jun 5, 2010
EF3
37 km
7.8 mi
0
Oct 18, 2007
EF3
99 km
20.3 mi
0
Oct 24, 2001
EF3
90 km
47.0 mi
1
Mar 27, 1991
EF3
76 km
15.0 mi
0
Apr 27, 1984
EF3
91 km
9.0 mi
1
Apr 2, 1982
EF3
56 km
12.0 mi
0
Jun 25, 1978
EF3
91 km
27.4 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
37 km
38.5 mi
1
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
59 km
12.1 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
97 km
22.6 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
68 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
72 km
2019
UNNAMED
1,664
67 km
2000
UNNAMED
1,602
30 km
2021
NORTHEAST PRAIRIE UNIT 3
978
61 km
2024
NORTHEAST PRAIRIE 3 RX
938
62 km
1986
OGDEN DUNS
863
47 km
2021
UNNAMED
738
63 km
2021
MIDDLE GRANT CREEK
700
70 km
2019
UNNAMED
698
62 km
2021
21-INDU TOLLESTON DUNES EAST
594
48 km
2017
UNNAMED
549
71 km
2017
17 INDU COWLES DUNES
522
54 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
23°F (-5°C)
1.7 in
Coldest
February
27°F (-3°C)
1.5 in
Driest
March
37°F (3°C)
2.9 in
April
49°F (9°C)
4.2 in
May
60°F (16°C)
4.1 in
June
70°F (21°C)
4.2 in
Wettest
July
73°F (23°C)
3.9 in
Warmest
August
71°F (22°C)
3.7 in
September
64°F (18°C)
3.7 in
October
53°F (11°C)
2.9 in
November
40°F (5°C)
3.4 in
December
28°F (-2°C)
2.8 in
Shelby has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 23°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (1.5").