Otter Creek has chilly winters and warm summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 88°, a January night drops to 21°, and about 13 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Otter Creek at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Otter Creek’s climate
Read from where Otter Creek sits among Illinois’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
About 187 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by April 14 and the first by October 19.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
13 inches of snow, 41 of rain and melt
May is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 103 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
What a year in Otter Creek feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
Living with Otter Creek’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
187 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Apr 14 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Oct 19.
About 13" a winter over 5 days with an inch or more, most in January. Snow covers the ground about 18 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from November through April. Heating is 82% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 29 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 88°.
The nicest months are April, May, June, September and October. 2.2 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →Otter Creek and its neighbors
English has the coldest January nights next door (21°) and Quarry the hottest July afternoons (88°). Tap a town to see its climate.
Temperatures and rain come from NOAA’s 5 km grid, so each town gets its own value. Snow and frost-free days come from the nearest weather station, so neighbors often share them.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Otter Creek averaged 0.8° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+2.1°).
A smaller shift than in 81% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Otter Creek compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Illinois.
Otter Creek weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38° | 21° | 2.3" | 4.3" | 8 | 8 | 24° – 41° |
| February | 43° | 25° | 2.2" | 3.7" | 7 | 4 | 23° – 44° |
| March | 54° | 34° | 3.1" | 1.6" | 10 | 1 | 37° – 57° |
| April | 66° | 44° | 4.5" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 48° – 61° |
| May | 75° | 55° | 5.0" | 0 | 12 | 0 | 60° – 73° |
| June | 84° | 64° | 4.3" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 69° – 78° |
| July | 88° | 68° | 3.9" | 0 | 8 | 0 | 72° – 84° |
| August | 86° | 65° | 3.7" | 0 | 7 | 0 | 70° – 82° |
| September | 80° | 57° | 3.3" | 0 | 7 | 0 | 64° – 75° |
| October | 68° | 46° | 3.2" | 0 | 8 | 0 | 52° – 63° |
| November | 54° | 35° | 3.3" | 0.7" | 9 | 1 | 37° – 51° |
| December | 42° | 26° | 2.5" | 2.2" | 8 | 3 | 20° – 43° |
| Year | 65° | 45° | 41.2" | 12.5" | 103 | 18 |
Heating and cooling a home in Otter Creek
82% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. December swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 20° to 43°. June is the most reliable, staying within 9°.
Common questions about Otter Creek’s climate
What is the coldest month in Otter Creek?
January, with a typical high of 38° and a low of 21°.
What is the hottest month in Otter Creek?
July, with a typical high of 88° and a low of 68°. About 29 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Otter Creek get?
About 13 inches in a normal winter, most of it in January.
When is the first frost in Otter Creek?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 19, and the last spring frost by April 14.
What is the rainiest month in Otter Creek?
May, with 5.0 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 41 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Otter Creek.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Otter Creek itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Jerseyville 2 Sw, IL (6 mi) away. Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.