What should you know about Hammond's weather?
- NWS office
- Chicago (LOT)
- Climate
- Hot-summer humid continental
- Time zone
- CST/CDT
- Elevation
- 590 ft
- Coordinates
- 41.62° N, 87.52° W
- Nearest radar
- KLOT · Chicago NEXRAD · 29 mi
- County
- Lake County, IN
- Yearly rain
- 34.4 in
- Warmest month
- July · 76.3°F average
- Coldest month
- January · 26°F average
- Severe storm peak
- May to Jul
How much rain does Hammond get each month?
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 32.7 | 36.8 | 47.6 | 59.9 | 71.1 | 80.9 | 85.0 | 82.7 | 76.3 | 63.4 | 49.1 | 37.6 |
| Low °F | 19.4 | 22.6 | 31.7 | 41.4 | 52.0 | 62.3 | 67.7 | 66.4 | 58.8 | 46.5 | 35.0 | 25.0 |
| Rain (in) | 1.48 | 1.46 | 1.88 | 3.57 | 4.09 | 4.01 | 3.55 | 3.99 | 2.77 | 3.48 | 2.35 | 1.79 |
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32.7 | 19.4 | 1.48 |
| Feb | 36.8 | 22.6 | 1.46 |
| Mar | 47.6 | 31.7 | 1.88 |
| Apr | 59.9 | 41.4 | 3.57 |
| May | 71.1 | 52.0 | 4.09 |
| Jun | 80.9 | 62.3 | 4.01 |
| Jul | 85.0 | 67.7 | 3.55 |
| Aug | 82.7 | 66.4 | 3.99 |
| Sep | 76.3 | 58.8 | 2.77 |
| Oct | 63.4 | 46.5 | 3.48 |
| Nov | 49.1 | 35.0 | 2.35 |
| Dec | 37.6 | 25.0 | 1.79 |
CHICAGO MIDWAY AP, IL US · 17 mi away · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020
What did the remnants of Hurricane Ike do to Hammond in 2008?
They pushed the Little Calumet River to a record crest. On September 13, 2008, the heaviest rain from the remnants of Ike fell over the region, with totals generally 4 to 8 inches across the hardest hit parts of northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana. A CoCoRaHS observer 3 miles southwest of Hammond measured 8.95 inches over three days. The Little Calumet River at Munster crested at 17.31 feet on September 14, 2008, far above its 12 foot flood stage.
Which parts of Hammond flood when the Little Calumet River rises?
Low ground outside the levees floods first, and then the concern shifts to the levee openings at major streets. The flood impact list for the Little Calumet River at Munster says water first overflows low-lying river banks outside the levee-protected area in Hammond and Munster. As the river climbs, Columbia Avenue and then Calumet Avenue may be closed at the levee so temporary flood protection can be installed. Near the top of the list, residences north of the river between Hohman Avenue and Lyman Avenue are threatened and evacuations may begin near the river.
Why does lake-effect snow look so patchy on Hammond weather radar?
Because lake-effect snow falls in narrow bands, and a few miles can separate heavy snow from a light dusting. During the November 9 to 10, 2025 event, the most intense bands dropped snow at more than 2 inches per hour over parts of Lake and Porter counties in Indiana. A gap between the two main bands left a local minimum over Chicago, while Highland, just south of Hammond, measured 5.8 inches and a report from Crown Point estimated 10.0 inches. There were also several reports of thundersnow near Lake Michigan early on November 10.
What happens on the Hammond lakefront when strong north winds blow?
Big waves can flood the shoreline. On March 6, 2020, strong northerly winds built waves estimated at 15 feet or more along parts of the northwest Indiana shore. Whiting Lakefront Park, next to Hammond, was reported completely inundated. NWS Chicago first mentioned the lakeshore flood threat in its graphics four days earlier, on March 2, so watch the forecast, not just the radar, when a strong north wind is coming.
When should you check the Hammond radar?
Severe storm season
May to JulyAbout 62% of the county's 1996 to 2025 severe reports fall from May to July. Check the loop before a day at Wolf Lake Memorial Park or a drive on the Borman Expressway.
Plowable snow season
December 7 to March 20These are the normal first and last dates of a one inch or greater snowfall at Chicago O'Hare, the official Chicago climate site. Compare the loop with the hourly forecast before driving Indianapolis Boulevard or the Indiana Toll Road.
What else do people ask about the Hammond radar?
Which NWS office and radar cover Hammond?
NWS Chicago (LOT) issues forecasts and warnings for Hammond. The nearest NEXRAD radar is KLOT, about 29 miles from the city center.
How often does the radar on this page update?
The radar loop on this page updates every 5 minutes.
Is this page an official warning service?
No. It shows radar and forecasts only. For warnings, follow NWS Chicago and local emergency alerts.
Quick facts
- Radar: KLOT (Chicago NEXRAD), a new frame every 5 minutes
- Forecasts and warnings: NWS Chicago (LOT)
- Severe storms peak from May to July (NOAA Storm Events, 1996 to 2025)
- Local time: CST/CDT
- Radar: KLOT, a new frame every 5 minutes
- Warnings: NWS Chicago (LOT)
- Severe storms: May to July
- Local time: CST/CDT
Where does this data come from?
- NOAA NEXRAD radar via Iowa Environmental Mesonet
- National Weather Service, Chicago office
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020: CHICAGO MIDWAY AP, IL US
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996 to 2025
- USGS Elevation Point Query Service
- GOES-East satellite imagery
- Open-Meteo forecast API
- OpenStreetMap contributors
- NWS Chicago: September 12 to 15, 2008 rainfall from the remnants of Hurricane Ike
- NOAA NWPS: Little Calumet River at Munster flood impacts
- NWS Chicago: November 9 to 10, 2025 lake effect snow
- NWS Chicago: March 6, 2020 lakeshore flooding
- NWS Chicago: Snow climatology