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Weather & Climate in Wheaton, IL

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

Wheaton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 73°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 40.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 751 feet.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.2°F
9% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation751 ft (229 m)
Area11.3 sq mi (29.1 km²)
Population Density4,722/sq mi
Coordinates41.8568°N, 88.1081°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyDuPage County County
Nearest AirportChicago O'Hare International (ORD)
13 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 40.2"
6% above US avg
Wettest Month (Aug) 4.17"
Driest Month (Feb) 1.42"

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score97.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability15.8 / 100
Community Resilience71.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very High
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Moderate
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively High
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Very High
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Relatively High
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Very High
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

8 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 79 km 10 km
Feb 10, 2010 2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois M3.8 35 km 10 km
Sep 2, 1999 8 km W of Amboy, Illinois M3.5 111 km 5 km
Nov 4, 2013 1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois M3.2 24 km 1 km
Jul 15, 2024 2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois M3.1 55 km 10 km
Mar 25, 2015 3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois M2.9 43 km 6 km
Jun 10, 2013 4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois M2.6 36 km 5 km
Mar 15, 2025 6 km W of Dwight, Illinois M2.6 92 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

588 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 112 fatalities, 2,222 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Aug 28, 1990 EF5 28 km 16.4 mi 29
Apr 9, 2015 EF4 98 km 30.1 mi 2
Jun 29, 1979 EF4 39 km 5.4 mi 0
Jun 13, 1976 EF4 23 km 3.3 mi 2
Sep 28, 1972 EF4 51 km 5.2 mi 0
Apr 21, 1967 EF4 35 km 8.8 mi 1
Apr 21, 1967 EF4 78 km 25.5 mi 24
Apr 21, 1967 EF4 31 km 15.0 mi 33
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 46 km 9.1 mi 6
Apr 17, 1963 EF4 75 km 57.3 mi 1
Jun 20, 2021 EF3 14 km 17.6 mi 0
Feb 28, 2017 EF3 92 km 11.5 mi 2
Jun 22, 2015 EF3 65 km 16.3 mi 0
Jun 5, 2010 EF3 93 km 7.8 mi 0
Jun 5, 2010 EF3 99 km 8.6 mi 0
Jan 7, 2008 EF3 79 km 10.8 mi 0
Jan 7, 2008 EF3 84 km 13.2 mi 0
Mar 27, 1991 EF3 31 km 15.0 mi 0
Apr 27, 1984 EF3 39 km 9.0 mi 1
Apr 2, 1982 EF3 90 km 12.0 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 7 103 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

12 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,741 acres, 2019).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2019 UNNAMED 1,741 54 km
2019 UNNAMED 1,664 54 km
2021 NORTHEAST PRAIRIE UNIT 3 978 55 km
2024 NORTHEAST PRAIRIE 3 RX 938 53 km
1986 OGDEN DUNS 863 79 km
2021 UNNAMED 738 53 km
2021 MIDDLE GRANT CREEK 700 54 km
2019 UNNAMED 698 52 km
2024 IBSP SOUTH F1 RX 690 66 km
2021 21-INDU TOLLESTON DUNES EAST 594 80 km
2017 UNNAMED 549 54 km
2017 17 INDU COWLES DUNES 522 87 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 23°F (-5°C) 1.6 in Coldest
February 27°F (-3°C) 1.4 in Driest
March 38°F (3°C) 2.6 in
April 48°F (9°C) 3.7 in
May 60°F (15°C) 3.6 in
June 69°F (21°C) 4.1 in
July 73°F (23°C) 3.8 in Warmest
August 72°F (22°C) 4.2 in Wettest
September 64°F (18°C) 3.7 in
October 53°F (11°C) 2.6 in
November 39°F (4°C) 3.0 in
December 27°F (-3°C) 2.3 in

Wheaton has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 23°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (1.4").

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