Weather & Climate in Waukegan, IL

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

Waukegan experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 263 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 37.7 inches. The area receives 29.7 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 722 feet.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	51.0°F
	6% below US avg
January Average	30°F (-1°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	263 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	722 ft (220 m)
Area	23.9 sq mi (61.8 km²)
Population Density	3,665/sq mi
Coordinates	42.3694°N, 87.8709°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Lake County County
Nearest Airport	Kenosha Regional (ENW) 16 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 37.7"

1% below US avg

Snowfall 29.7"

Wettest Month (Aug) 4.02"

Driest Month (Feb) 1.30"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	96.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	14.1 / 100
Community Resilience	78.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very High
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively High
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Very High
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
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	132 km	10 km
Feb 10, 2010	2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois	M3.8	68 km	10 km
Sep 2, 1999	8 km W of Amboy, Illinois	M3.5	148 km	5 km
Nov 4, 2013	1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois	M3.2	63 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	46 km	6 km
Jun 10, 2013	4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois	M2.6	67 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

435 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 102 fatalities, 2,127 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Aug 28, 1990	EF5	86 km	16.4 mi	29
Apr 27, 1984	EF4	79 km	6.5 mi	1
Jun 29, 1979	EF4	99 km	5.4 mi	0
Jun 13, 1976	EF4	79 km	3.3 mi	2
Sep 28, 1972	EF4	10 km	5.2 mi	0
Apr 21, 1967	EF4	78 km	15.0 mi	33
Apr 21, 1967	EF4	88 km	25.5 mi	24
Apr 21, 1967	EF4	41 km	8.8 mi	1
Apr 11, 1965	EF4	45 km	9.1 mi	6
Jun 20, 2021	EF3	74 km	17.6 mi	0
Jan 7, 2008	EF3	79 km	13.2 mi	0
Jan 7, 2008	EF3	43 km	10.8 mi	0
Mar 27, 1991	EF3	90 km	15.0 mi	0
Apr 27, 1984	EF3	99 km	9.0 mi	1
Mar 12, 1976	EF3	91 km	22.6 mi	0
Nov 12, 1965	EF3	97 km	4.1 mi	0
Jul 19, 1963	EF3	39 km	10.6 mi	0
Nov 22, 2010	EF2	90 km	18.1 mi	0
Jul 22, 2010	EF2	61 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 21, 2010	EF2	76 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	110 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	6 km
2024	RX-HWY Y - SOUTH	553	98 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	30°F (-1°C)	1.7 in
February	25°F (-4°C)	1.3 in	Coldest, Driest
March	35°F (2°C)	2.5 in
April	46°F (8°C)	3.6 in
May	56°F (14°C)	3.3 in
June	66°F (19°C)	3.7 in
July	72°F (22°C)	3.8 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	4.0 in	Wettest
September	62°F (17°C)	3.7 in
October	51°F (11°C)	2.4 in
November	38°F (4°C)	2.5 in
December	26°F (-3°C)	2.2 in

Waukegan has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 25°F in February to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 34.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.0") and February the driest (1.3").

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