Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Third Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.4 inches. The area receives 43.4 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. 67% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 766 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
48.3°F
11% below US avg
January Average
23°F (-5°C)
July Average
72°F (22°C)
Geography
Elevation
766 ft (233 m)
Area
0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density
2,039/sq mi
Coordinates
42.3698°N, 88.0091°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
McHenry County County
Nearest Airport
Kenosha Regional (ENW) 16 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall36.4"
4% below US avg
Snowfall43.4"
Wettest Month (Jun)4.09"
Driest Month (Dec)1.87"
Air Quality
AQI Median
43.0
Rating
Good
Good Days %
66.9%
Unhealthy Days
1
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
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
125 km
10 km
Feb 10, 2010
2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois
M3.8
60 km
10 km
Sep 2, 1999
8 km W of Amboy, Illinois
M3.5
138 km
5 km
Nov 4, 2013
1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois
M3.2
65 km
1 km
Jul 15, 2024
2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois
M3.1
99 km
10 km
Mar 25, 2015
3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois
M2.9
36 km
6 km
Jun 10, 2013
4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois
M2.6
59 km
5 km
Mar 15, 2025
6 km W of Dwight, Illinois
M2.6
148 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
468 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 103 fatalities, 2,157 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Aug 28, 1990
EF5
82 km
16.4 mi
29
Apr 27, 1984
EF4
74 km
6.5 mi
1
Jun 29, 1979
EF4
96 km
5.4 mi
0
Jun 13, 1976
EF4
78 km
3.3 mi
2
Sep 28, 1972
EF4
15 km
5.2 mi
0
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
33 km
8.8 mi
1
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
79 km
15.0 mi
33
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
77 km
25.5 mi
24
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
35 km
9.1 mi
6
Jun 20, 2021
EF3
71 km
17.6 mi
0
Jan 7, 2008
EF3
68 km
13.2 mi
0
Jan 7, 2008
EF3
33 km
10.8 mi
0
Mar 27, 1991
EF3
88 km
15.0 mi
0
Apr 27, 1984
EF3
95 km
9.0 mi
1
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
87 km
22.6 mi
0
Jul 19, 1963
EF3
31 km
10.6 mi
0
Jun 22, 2024
EF2
95 km
6.0 mi
0
Nov 22, 2010
EF2
79 km
18.1 mi
0
Jul 22, 2010
EF2
57 km
1.0 mi
0
Jun 21, 2010
EF2
69 km
5.2 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
119 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
17 km
2024
RX-HWY Y - SOUTH
553
90 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
23°F (-5°C)
2.2 in
Coldest
February
26°F (-3°C)
1.9 in
March
36°F (2°C)
2.4 in
April
46°F (8°C)
3.7 in
May
56°F (14°C)
4.1 in
June
66°F (19°C)
4.1 in
Wettest
July
72°F (22°C)
3.9 in
Warmest
August
71°F (21°C)
3.4 in
September
63°F (17°C)
3.3 in
October
52°F (11°C)
3.1 in
November
40°F (4°C)
2.4 in
December
29°F (-2°C)
1.9 in
Driest
Third Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 23°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.1") and December the driest (1.9").