Weather & Climate in Wanatah, IN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Wanatah experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.4 inches. The area receives 33.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. 70% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 728 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 51.8°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 728 ft (222 m) |
| Area | 1.4 sq mi (3.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 891/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.4306°N, 86.8923°W |
| Timezone | America/Indiana/Indianapolis |
| County | LaPorte County County |
| Nearest Airport | Porter County Regional (VPZ) 6 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 70.2% |
| Unhealthy Days | 2 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 78.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 48.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 82.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
6 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Feb 10, 2010 | 2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois | M3.8 | 146 km | 10 km |
| Nov 4, 2013 | 1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois | M3.2 | 88 km | 1 km |
| Jan 26, 2012 | 5 km NE of Topeka, Indiana | M3.0 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Mar 25, 2015 | 3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois | M2.9 | 148 km | 6 km |
| Jun 10, 2013 | 4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois | M2.6 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 2025 | 6 km W of Dwight, Illinois | M2.6 | 140 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
503 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 118 fatalities, 1,565 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 13, 1976 | EF4 | 96 km | 3.3 mi | 2 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF4 | 82 km | 15.0 mi | 33 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 60 km | 37.0 mi | 36 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 69 km | 21.2 mi | 31 |
| May 27, 2019 | EF3 | 81 km | 13.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2010 | EF3 | 83 km | 7.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF3 | 62 km | 20.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 24, 2001 | EF3 | 44 km | 47.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 12, 1976 | EF3 | 26 km | 12.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1976 | EF3 | 31 km | 12.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1976 | EF3 | 83 km | 38.5 mi | 1 |
| Jun 20, 1974 | EF3 | 47 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 24, 1967 | EF3 | 30 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 26, 1965 | EF3 | 44 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 12, 1965 | EF3 | 51 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF3 | 28 km | 35.6 mi | 10 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF3 | 27 km | 33.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 29, 1963 | EF3 | 96 km | 23.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 1962 | EF3 | 41 km | 36.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 1962 | EF3 | 19 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 | 30 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
8 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,602 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,602 | 75 km |
| 2021 | NORTHEAST PRAIRIE UNIT 3 | 978 | 95 km |
| 2024 | NORTHEAST PRAIRIE 3 RX | 938 | 96 km |
| 1986 | OGDEN DUNS | 863 | 34 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 738 | 97 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 698 | 96 km |
| 2021 | 21-INDU TOLLESTON DUNES EAST | 594 | 33 km |
| 2017 | 17 INDU COWLES DUNES | 522 | 30 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.5 in | Driest |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 1.9 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 3.3 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 3.7 in | |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 3.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 2.5 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 3.3 in | |
| November | 42°F (6°C) | 2.4 in | |
| December | 32°F (-0°C) | 1.7 in |
Wanatah has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 26°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.4 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (1.5").