Weather & Climate in Simpson, IL

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

Simpson enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 299 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 50.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 7.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 391 feet.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	57.2°F
	6% above US avg
January Average	34°F (1°C)
July Average	77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	299 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	391 ft (119 m)
Area	0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²)
Population Density	106/sq mi
Coordinates	37.4674°N, 88.7579°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Johnson County County
Nearest Airport	Barkley Regional (PAH) 28 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 50.5"

33% above US avg

Snowfall 7.2"

Wettest Month (May) 4.92"

Driest Month (Oct) 3.07"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	51.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	82.0 / 100
Community Resilience	47.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

271 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.2.

Apr 18, 2008	7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois	M5.2	134 km	14 km
Sep 26, 1990	4 km SE of Chaffee, Missouri	M4.8	83 km	1 km
Apr 18, 2008	9 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois	M4.7	135 km	15 km
Jun 18, 2002	6 km SW of Parkers Settlement, Indiana	M4.6	106 km	16 km
May 4, 1991	2 km NNW of Risco, Missouri	M4.5	137 km	11 km
Feb 5, 1994	2 km WNW of Dongola, Illinois	M4.2	40 km	16 km
Jun 6, 2003	1 km NE of Bardwell, Kentucky	M4.0	69 km	3 km
Apr 21, 2008	7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois	M4.0	134 km	18 km
Dec 7, 2000	7 km W of Evansville, Indiana	M3.9	113 km	5 km
Feb 21, 2012	4 km SSE of Bertrand, Missouri	M3.9	89 km	8 km
Sep 19, 2017	4 km N of Bellmont, Illinois	M3.8	130 km	12 km
Apr 25, 2008	8 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois	M3.7	134 km	13 km
Mar 2, 2010	2 km ENE of East Prairie, Missouri	M3.7	92 km	8 km
Nov 20, 2012	7 km N of Bellmont, Illinois	M3.6	133 km	19 km
Jan 2, 2006	3 km NNE of Eldorado, Illinois	M3.6	51 km	7 km
Jun 20, 2005	4 km WSW of Blandville, Kentucky	M3.6	64 km	19 km
Mar 15, 2017	9 km ESE of Wyatt, Missouri	M3.6	73 km	8 km
Jun 15, 2004	3 km S of Canalou, Missouri	M3.5	116 km	5 km
May 1, 2016	5 km SE of New Grand Chain, Illinois	M3.5	35 km	16 km
Jul 16, 2004	6 km SE of Wyatt, Missouri	M3.5	77 km	4 km

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

Tornado History

556 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 82 fatalities, 1,286 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Dec 18, 1957	EF5	81 km	5.4 mi	1
Feb 29, 2012	EF4	27 km	26.1 mi	8
Sep 22, 2006	EF4	97 km	27.5 mi	0
May 6, 2003	EF4	33 km	33.0 mi	2
Jun 2, 1990	EF4	91 km	106.0 mi	1
May 29, 1982	EF4	49 km	17.0 mi	10
Mar 4, 1964	EF4	90 km	18.5 mi	3
Dec 18, 1957	EF4	95 km	16.8 mi	1
Dec 18, 1957	EF4	69 km	28.3 mi	11
Jul 9, 2024	EF3	94 km	5.8 mi	0
May 26, 2024	EF3	73 km	34.1 mi	1
May 26, 2024	EF3	26 km	4.9 mi	0
Feb 28, 2017	EF3	94 km	44.1 mi	1
May 10, 2016	EF3	79 km	19.0 mi	0
Nov 17, 2013	EF3	100 km	14.3 mi	0
Nov 17, 2013	EF3	42 km	42.5 mi	3
Nov 17, 2013	EF3	77 km	14.1 mi	0
Mar 28, 2009	EF3	87 km	12.4 mi	0
Sep 22, 2006	EF3	30 km	3.5 mi	0
Nov 15, 2005	EF3	88 km	44.0 mi	1

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FRANKLIN CREEK RX (2,828 acres, 2010).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2010	FRANKLIN CREEK RX	2,828	94 km
2019	UNNAMED	2,286	20 km
2019	UNNAMED	2,282	94 km
2021	RED SHALE UNIT RX	2,123	37 km
2014	UNNAMED	1,627	51 km
2019	ATWOOD RIDGE RX	1,622	51 km
2021	GAP VIEW RX	1,575	27 km
2022	DENNISON HOLLOW RX	1,573	36 km
2021	UNNAMED	1,510	13 km
2022	ONE HORSE GAP RX	1,502	28 km
2014	UNNAMED	1,493	38 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,447	35 km
2021	BEATTY BRANCH RX	1,396	19 km
2020	UNNAMED	1,334	59 km
2016	UNNAMED	1,299	28 km
2024	RED SHALE RX	1,259	37 km
2017	UNNAMED	1,257	56 km
2021	OZARK HILL PRAIRIE RX	1,235	56 km
2014	UNNAMED	1,216	28 km
2019	KINKAID RX	1,215	71 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	34°F (1°C)	3.2 in	Coldest
February	37°F (3°C)	3.5 in
March	47°F (8°C)	4.8 in
April	57°F (14°C)	4.7 in
May	66°F (19°C)	4.9 in	Wettest
June	74°F (23°C)	4.1 in
July	77°F (25°C)	4.0 in	Warmest
August	76°F (25°C)	3.5 in
September	70°F (21°C)	3.4 in
October	58°F (15°C)	3.1 in	Driest
November	47°F (8°C)	4.2 in
December	37°F (3°C)	4.3 in

Simpson has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 34°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.9") and October the driest (3.1").

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