Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
West Lafayette experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 74°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 37.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 735 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average
51.4°F
5% below US avg
January Average
26°F (-3°C)
July Average
74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
735 ft (224 m)
Area
13.6 sq mi (35.1 km²)
Population Density
3,304/sq mi
Coordinates
40.4437°N, 86.9236°W
Timezone
America/Indiana/Indianapolis
County
Tippecanoe County County
Nearest Airport
Vermilion Regional (DNV) 39 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall37.0"
3% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jun)4.09"
Driest Month (Feb)1.65"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
81.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability
29.8 / 100
Community Resilience
65.1 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Moderate
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
Relatively 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.
Jun 17, 2021
Illinois-Indiana border region
M3.8
75 km
6 km
Sep 12, 2004
4 km NW of Manilla, Indiana
M3.8
142 km
2 km
Dec 20, 1990
5 km S of Stilesville, Indiana
M3.7
98 km
5 km
Apr 14, 2000
4 km NW of Heritage Lake, Indiana
M3.6
77 km
5 km
Dec 17, 1990
Illinois-Indiana border region
M3.2
43 km
10 km
Dec 16, 1996
3 km NNE of Terre Haute, Indiana
M3.1
113 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
593 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 84 fatalities, 1,668 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 26, 1994
EF4
5 km
14.0 mi
3
Mar 20, 1976
EF4
7 km
16.7 mi
0
Apr 3, 1974
EF4
19 km
108.7 mi
18
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
46 km
48.0 mi
25
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
15 km
21.8 mi
0
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
47 km
45.7 mi
28
May 27, 2019
EF3
90 km
13.7 mi
0
Aug 24, 2016
EF3
62 km
8.6 mi
0
Nov 17, 2013
EF3
13 km
37.9 mi
0
Jun 5, 2010
EF3
66 km
7.5 mi
0
Jun 5, 2010
EF3
98 km
7.8 mi
0
May 30, 2004
EF3
74 km
4.5 mi
0
Jun 11, 1998
EF3
72 km
18.5 mi
0
Apr 19, 1996
EF3
94 km
2.0 mi
1
Nov 22, 1992
EF3
81 km
12.0 mi
0
Nov 22, 1992
EF3
94 km
9.0 mi
0
Jun 2, 1980
EF3
42 km
18.1 mi
1
Jun 25, 1978
EF3
95 km
1.0 mi
0
Jun 25, 1978
EF3
4 km
27.4 mi
0
Jul 7, 1977
EF3
55 km
11.6 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
140 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (1,602 acres, 2000).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2000
UNNAMED
1,602
82 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
26°F (-3°C)
1.8 in
Coldest
February
29°F (-2°C)
1.7 in
Driest
March
40°F (4°C)
2.8 in
April
51°F (10°C)
3.7 in
May
62°F (16°C)
3.9 in
June
71°F (22°C)
4.1 in
Wettest
July
74°F (23°C)
3.7 in
Warmest
August
73°F (23°C)
4.0 in
September
66°F (19°C)
3.0 in
October
54°F (12°C)
2.6 in
November
42°F (5°C)
3.0 in
December
30°F (-1°C)
2.8 in
West Lafayette has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 26°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (1.7").
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