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 Average
49.2°F
9% below US avg
January Average
23°F (-5°C)
July Average
73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
751 ft (229 m)
Area
11.3 sq mi (29.1 km²)
Population Density
4,722/sq mi
Coordinates
41.8568°N, 88.1081°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
DuPage County County
Nearest Airport
Chicago O'Hare International (ORD) 13 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall40.2"
6% above US avg
Wettest Month (Aug)4.17"
Driest Month (Feb)1.42"
Air Quality
AQI Median
43.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively High
Risk Score
97.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability
15.8 / 100
Community Resilience
71.8 / 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").