Weather & Climate in Whiting, IN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Whiting experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.3 inches. The area receives 38.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 52. 44% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 591 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
76°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 52.1°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (25°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 591 ft (180 m) |
| Area | 3.2 sq mi (8.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,516/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.6730°N, 87.4840°W |
| Timezone | America/Indiana/Indianapolis |
| County | Lake County County |
| Nearest Airport | Gary/Chicago International (GYY) 5 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 52.0 |
| Rating | Moderate |
| Good Days % | 44.3% |
| Unhealthy Days | 5 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 95.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 48.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 73.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | No Rating |
| 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 | 120 km | 10 km |
| Feb 10, 2010 | 2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois | M3.8 | 90 km | 10 km |
| Nov 4, 2013 | 1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois | M3.2 | 32 km | 1 km |
| Jul 15, 2024 | 2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois | M3.1 | 102 km | 10 km |
| Mar 25, 2015 | 3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois | M2.9 | 93 km | 6 km |
| Jun 10, 2013 | 4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois | M2.6 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 2025 | 6 km W of Dwight, Illinois | M2.6 | 107 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
536 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 95 fatalities, 1,846 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 28, 1990 | EF5 | 72 km | 16.4 mi | 29 |
| Jun 29, 1979 | EF4 | 64 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1976 | EF4 | 43 km | 3.3 mi | 2 |
| Sep 28, 1972 | EF4 | 75 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF4 | 84 km | 8.8 mi | 1 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF4 | 29 km | 15.0 mi | 33 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 96 km | 9.1 mi | 6 |
| Apr 17, 1963 | EF4 | 75 km | 57.3 mi | 1 |
| Jun 20, 2021 | EF3 | 60 km | 17.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2015 | EF3 | 85 km | 16.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2010 | EF3 | 71 km | 7.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 24, 2001 | EF3 | 88 km | 47.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 27, 1991 | EF3 | 52 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1984 | EF3 | 72 km | 9.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 2, 1982 | EF3 | 81 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1976 | EF3 | 72 km | 22.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1976 | EF3 | 82 km | 12.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1976 | EF3 | 77 km | 38.5 mi | 1 |
| Mar 12, 1976 | EF3 | 43 km | 12.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1974 | EF3 | 44 km | 4.5 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 | 50 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
13 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,741 acres, 2019).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,741 | 66 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,664 | 62 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,602 | 77 km |
| 2021 | NORTHEAST PRAIRIE UNIT 3 | 978 | 57 km |
| 2024 | NORTHEAST PRAIRIE 3 RX | 938 | 56 km |
| 1986 | OGDEN DUNS | 863 | 23 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 738 | 57 km |
| 2021 | MIDDLE GRANT CREEK | 700 | 65 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 698 | 56 km |
| 2024 | IBSP SOUTH F1 RX | 690 | 86 km |
| 2021 | 21-INDU TOLLESTON DUNES EAST | 594 | 24 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 549 | 65 km |
| 2017 | 17 INDU COWLES DUNES | 522 | 32 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 2.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.0 in | Driest |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 2.3 in | |
| April | 51°F (10°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 62°F (16°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| July | 76°F (25°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 4.4 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 42°F (6°C) | 2.6 in | |
| December | 31°F (-0°C) | 2.2 in |
Whiting has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 26°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 40.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.8") and February the driest (2.0").