Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
St. John 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 41. The city sits at an elevation of 692 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
692 ft (211 m)
Area
11.5 sq mi (29.7 km²)
Population Density
1,699/sq mi
Coordinates
41.4418°N, 87.4678°W
Timezone
America/Indiana/Indianapolis
County
Lake County County
Nearest Airport
Gary/Chicago International (GYY) 12 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall39.9"
5% above US avg
Snowfall29.7"
Wettest Month (Jun)4.25"
Driest Month (Feb)1.50"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively High
Risk Score
95.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability
48.7 / 100
Community Resilience
73.3 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very High
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively High
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively High
Lightning
Relatively High
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
No Rating
Cold Wave
Very High
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
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
119 km
10 km
Feb 10, 2010
2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois
M3.8
104 km
10 km
Nov 4, 2013
1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois
M3.2
50 km
1 km
Jul 15, 2024
2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois
M3.1
106 km
10 km
Mar 25, 2015
3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois
M2.9
112 km
6 km
Jun 10, 2013
4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois
M2.6
106 km
5 km
Mar 15, 2025
6 km W of Dwight, Illinois
M2.6
95 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
560 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 89 fatalities, 1,688 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Aug 28, 1990
EF5
78 km
16.4 mi
29
Jun 29, 1979
EF4
64 km
5.4 mi
0
Jun 13, 1976
EF4
51 km
3.3 mi
2
Sep 28, 1972
EF4
99 km
5.2 mi
0
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
39 km
15.0 mi
33
Apr 17, 1963
EF4
60 km
57.3 mi
1
Jun 20, 2021
EF3
69 km
17.6 mi
0
Jun 22, 2015
EF3
78 km
16.3 mi
0
Jun 5, 2010
EF3
48 km
7.8 mi
0
Oct 24, 2001
EF3
89 km
47.0 mi
1
Mar 27, 1991
EF3
55 km
15.0 mi
0
Apr 27, 1984
EF3
73 km
9.0 mi
1
Apr 2, 1982
EF3
61 km
12.0 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
71 km
12.1 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
76 km
22.6 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
53 km
38.5 mi
1
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
50 km
12.6 mi
0
Jun 20, 1974
EF3
18 km
4.5 mi
0
May 15, 1968
EF3
93 km
7.1 mi
0
Oct 24, 1967
EF3
24 km
0.1 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
57 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
59 km
2019
UNNAMED
1,664
54 km
2000
UNNAMED
1,602
51 km
2021
NORTHEAST PRAIRIE UNIT 3
978
48 km
2024
NORTHEAST PRAIRIE 3 RX
938
48 km
1986
OGDEN DUNS
863
28 km
2021
UNNAMED
738
49 km
2021
MIDDLE GRANT CREEK
700
58 km
2019
UNNAMED
698
48 km
2021
21-INDU TOLLESTON DUNES EAST
594
29 km
2017
UNNAMED
549
58 km
2017
17 INDU COWLES DUNES
522
38 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)
2.8 in
April
48°F (9°C)
4.1 in
May
59°F (15°C)
4.0 in
June
69°F (21°C)
4.3 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
52°F (11°C)
3.0 in
November
40°F (5°C)
3.4 in
December
28°F (-2°C)
2.7 in
St. John has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 23°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 38.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (1.5").