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Weather & Climate in West Frankfort, IL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
West Frankfort enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 305 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 47.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 397 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (1°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 57.3°F |
| 6% above US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 397 ft (121 m) |
| Area | 5.0 sq mi (13.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,437/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.8995°N, 88.9308°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Franklin County County |
| Nearest Airport | Barkley Regional (PAH) 59 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 81.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 83.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 68.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
148 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.2.
| Apr 18, 2008 | 7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M5.2 | 110 km | 14 km |
| Sep 26, 1990 | 4 km SE of Chaffee, Missouri | M4.8 | 103 km | 1 km |
| Apr 18, 2008 | 9 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M4.7 | 112 km | 15 km |
| Jun 18, 2002 | 6 km SW of Parkers Settlement, Indiana | M4.6 | 104 km | 16 km |
| Feb 5, 1994 | 2 km WNW of Dongola, Illinois | M4.2 | 63 km | 16 km |
| Apr 21, 2008 | 7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M4.0 | 111 km | 18 km |
| Jun 6, 2003 | 1 km NE of Bardwell, Kentucky | M4.0 | 114 km | 3 km |
| Dec 7, 2000 | 7 km W of Evansville, Indiana | M3.9 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Feb 21, 2012 | 4 km SSE of Bertrand, Missouri | M3.9 | 122 km | 8 km |
| Sep 19, 2017 | 4 km N of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.8 | 107 km | 12 km |
| Mar 2, 2010 | 2 km ENE of East Prairie, Missouri | M3.7 | 129 km | 8 km |
| Apr 25, 2008 | 8 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.7 | 111 km | 13 km |
| Nov 20, 2012 | 7 km N of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.6 | 109 km | 19 km |
| Jan 2, 2006 | 3 km NNE of Eldorado, Illinois | M3.6 | 46 km | 7 km |
| Jun 20, 2005 | 4 km WSW of Blandville, Kentucky | M3.6 | 109 km | 19 km |
| Mar 15, 2017 | 9 km ESE of Wyatt, Missouri | M3.6 | 114 km | 8 km |
| May 1, 2016 | 5 km SE of New Grand Chain, Illinois | M3.5 | 76 km | 16 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SE of Wyatt, Missouri | M3.5 | 117 km | 4 km |
| Jun 15, 2004 | 3 km S of Canalou, Missouri | M3.5 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Sep 26, 1994 | 4 km ENE of Blandville, Kentucky | M3.4 | 105 km | 13 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
543 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 59 fatalities, 957 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 18, 1957 | EF5 | 34 km | 5.4 mi | 1 |
| Feb 28, 2017 | EF4 | 96 km | 53.5 mi | 1 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF4 | 74 km | 10.6 mi | 2 |
| Feb 29, 2012 | EF4 | 34 km | 26.1 mi | 8 |
| Sep 22, 2006 | EF4 | 83 km | 27.5 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2003 | EF4 | 71 km | 33.0 mi | 2 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 85 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 56 km | 106.0 mi | 1 |
| May 29, 1982 | EF4 | 21 km | 17.0 mi | 10 |
| Dec 18, 1957 | EF4 | 53 km | 28.3 mi | 11 |
| Dec 18, 1957 | EF4 | 44 km | 16.8 mi | 1 |
| Jul 9, 2024 | EF3 | 93 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 36 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Feb 28, 2017 | EF3 | 76 km | 44.1 mi | 1 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 90 km | 14.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 89 km | 42.5 mi | 3 |
| Sep 22, 2006 | EF3 | 79 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 11, 2006 | EF3 | 94 km | 53.5 mi | 2 |
| Nov 6, 2005 | EF3 | 94 km | 11.2 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 2003 | EF3 | 87 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (2,286 acres, 2019).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,286 | 64 km |
| 2021 | RED SHALE UNIT RX | 2,123 | 28 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,627 | 65 km |
| 2019 | ATWOOD RIDGE RX | 1,622 | 65 km |
| 2021 | GAP VIEW RX | 1,575 | 57 km |
| 2022 | DENNISON HOLLOW RX | 1,573 | 52 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,510 | 52 km |
| 2022 | ONE HORSE GAP RX | 1,502 | 61 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,493 | 52 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,447 | 53 km |
| 2021 | BEATTY BRANCH RX | 1,396 | 62 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 1,334 | 84 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,299 | 61 km |
| 2024 | RED SHALE RX | 1,259 | 29 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 1,257 | 75 km |
| 2021 | OZARK HILL PRAIRIE RX | 1,235 | 75 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,216 | 61 km |
| 2019 | KINKAID RX | 1,215 | 46 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,203 | 60 km |
| 2022 | KINKAID STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AREA RX | 1,115 | 46 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (1°C) | 2.7 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 2.9 in | |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 4.6 in | |
| April | 56°F (13°C) | 4.2 in | |
| May | 65°F (19°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 3.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (25°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 3.1 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 4.1 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 3.7 in |
West Frankfort has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 33°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.6") and January the driest (2.7").