Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Wakarusa experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 71°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 41.9 inches. The area receives 36.6 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 858 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
48.6°F
10% below US avg
January Average
23°F (-5°C)
July Average
71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
858 ft (262 m)
Area
2.2 sq mi (5.7 km²)
Population Density
1,145/sq mi
Coordinates
41.5312°N, 86.0133°W
Timezone
America/Indiana/Indianapolis
County
St. Joseph County County
Nearest Airport
South Bend International (SBN) 20 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall41.9"
10% above US avg
Snowfall36.6"
Wettest Month (Jun)4.09"
Driest Month (Feb)1.81"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
85.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability
37.2 / 100
Community Resilience
90.0 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively High
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Very Low
Cold Wave
Relatively High
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
5 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.2.
May 2, 2015
5 km S of Galesburg, Michigan
M4.2
92 km
4 km
Jun 30, 2015
5 km NNE of Burlington, Michigan
M3.3
105 km
5 km
Jan 26, 2012
5 km NE of Topeka, Indiana
M3.0
44 km
5 km
Jun 12, 2015
6 km NW of Convoy, Ohio
M2.6
123 km
5 km
Jan 30, 2004
2 km S of Rockford, Ohio
M2.5
149 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
465 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 143 fatalities, 1,815 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 2, 1977
EF4
92 km
12.4 mi
0
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
28 km
21.6 mi
5
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
17 km
37.0 mi
36
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
89 km
80.5 mi
21
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
5 km
21.2 mi
31
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
74 km
90.3 mi
23
May 27, 2019
EF3
62 km
13.7 mi
0
Oct 18, 2007
EF3
29 km
20.3 mi
0
May 30, 2004
EF3
90 km
4.5 mi
0
Oct 24, 2001
EF3
36 km
47.0 mi
1
Mar 27, 1991
EF3
79 km
21.0 mi
1
May 15, 1986
EF3
97 km
1.2 mi
0
May 13, 1980
EF3
89 km
10.6 mi
5
May 13, 1980
EF3
79 km
21.0 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
60 km
12.1 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
82 km
12.6 mi
0
Apr 3, 1974
EF3
47 km
36.2 mi
5
May 16, 1968
EF3
90 km
50.3 mi
1
Nov 26, 1965
EF3
45 km
1.0 mi
0
Apr 11, 1965
EF3
51 km
35.6 mi
10
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
75 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: 21-INDU TOLLESTON DUNES EAST (594 acres, 2021).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2021
21-INDU TOLLESTON DUNES EAST
594
100 km
2017
17 INDU COWLES DUNES
522
92 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
23°F (-5°C)
2.0 in
Coldest
February
27°F (-3°C)
1.8 in
Driest
March
37°F (3°C)
2.9 in
April
48°F (9°C)
3.7 in
May
60°F (15°C)
3.5 in
June
69°F (21°C)
4.1 in
Wettest
July
71°F (22°C)
3.7 in
Warmest
August
70°F (21°C)
3.7 in
September
63°F (17°C)
3.7 in
October
52°F (11°C)
3.0 in
November
40°F (5°C)
3.1 in
December
29°F (-2°C)
2.9 in
Wakarusa has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 23°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 38.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (1.8").
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