Moraine Hills & McHenry Dam, IL

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Wetland, prairie and wooded moraine landscape at Moraine Hills State Park
Wetland, prairie and wooded moraine landscape at Moraine Hills State Park — Photo by James Conkis, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Today’s Forecast:

☁
40°F
High: 40° | Low: 31°
Current Temperature
Cloudy
Station: KUGN
Observed at: 6:51 pm CST on 11/12/26
Wind: 14 mph | Humidity: 60%
Tonight:A slight chance of snow before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. North northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday:A slight chance of snow between 7am and 11am, then a slight chance of rain between 11am and 1pm. Partly sunny. High near 42, with temperatures falling to around 37 in the afternoon. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Friday Night:Mostly clear, with a low around 29. North northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
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Today’s Report:

🥾 Hiking

Good
  73 /100

Good for hiking. High near 42°F. Low rain risk (18%). Light wind (15 mph).

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Good 80/100
Good for hiking. High near 46°F. Light wind (10 mph).

🚲 Biking

Not Recommended
  19 /100

Not Recommended for biking. High near 42°F. Low rain risk (18%). Breezy winds (15 mph). Temperatures outside comfort limits (42°F).

  • Temp: Unfavorable weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Good 72/100
Good for biking. High near 46°F. Light wind (10 mph).

🛶 Paddling

Not Recommended
  12 /100

Not Recommended for paddling. High near 42°F. Low rain risk (18%). Breezy winds (15 mph). Temperatures outside comfort limits (42°F).

  • Temp: Unfavorable weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 22/100
Not Recommended for paddling. High near 46°F. Breezy winds (10 mph). Temperatures outside comfort limits (46°F).

🐟 Fishing

Use Caution
  43 /100

Use Caution for fishing. High near 42°F. Low rain risk (18%). Breezy winds (15 mph).

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Good 84/100
Good for fishing. High near 46°F. Light wind (10 mph).

About Moraine Hills & McHenry Dam

This page connects Moraine Hills, Lake Defiance, McHenry Dam and immediate Fox River access, where exposure and operating notices matter as much as the regional forecast.

Planning an Outing

A workable outing depends on dam current, Fox River flooding, peat shoreline rules, lake wind, trail saturation, high wind and hunting closures. Match the forecast to the chosen access rather than assuming every component operates alike.

Weather Tips

  • Across a glacial wetland and dam area, compare wind direction with open-water fetch; short, steep waves can build before rain arrives.
  • For this a glacial wetland and dam area, read the gauge trend and upstream rainfall because current and floating debris can change after local skies clear.
  • Within a glacial wetland and dam area, honor posted wet-trail closures and keep bicycles off hiking-only routes.

Nearby Towns and Areas

  • Lake Defiance
  • McHenry Dam
  • Fox River
  • McHenry
  • Pike Marsh
  • Leatherleaf Bog

Adjust the Day to the Forecast

Move to shore or a short protected trail when wind, waves, flow or access is unsuitable; otherwise, replace natural-surface riding with a paved route when trails are closed.

7-Day Forecast

☁
40°F
High: 40° | Low: 31°
Current Temperature
Cloudy
Station: KUGN
Observed at: 6:51 pm CST on 11/12/26
Wind: 14 mph | Humidity: 60%
Fri ❄
42° 29°
18%
Sat ☀
46° 27°
0%
Sun ☀
48° 27°
0%
Mon ☀
50° 29°
0%
Tue ☀
53° 31°
0%
Wed ☀
56° 38°
0%
Thu 🌧
58° --°
20%

7-Day High Temperature Trend

42° Fri 46° Sat 48° Sun 50° Mon 53° Tue 56° Wed 58° Thu

7-Day Low Temperature Trend

29° Fri 27° Sat 27° Sun 29° Mon 31° Tue 38° Wed 50° Thu

📊 7-Day Outdoor Outlook

Good Fair Poor 20 Fri 20 Sat 20 Sun 70 Mon 85 Tue 100 Wed 100 Thu
Forecast data from the National Weather Service  |  Last Updated: November 12, 2026 8:57 pm CST

Weather by Season

Winter

Freeze-thaw cycles leave shaded parts of this a glacial wetland and dam area icy while exposed ground softens; verify roads and gates after storms.

Spring

Basin-wide rain can raise water and move debris through this a glacial wetland and dam area; low access may remain closed after the crest.

Summer

Afternoon wind and lightning can end a water window on this a glacial wetland and dam area; warm water may also bring advisories.

Fall

Cold water arrives before winter air on this a glacial wetland and dam area; stronger fronts shorten launch windows and seasonal facilities reduce hours.

Key Climate Data Points

  • Local climate: This local planning area has an annual average temperature about 49–52°F, receives roughly 35–39 inches of precipitation and records commonly 25–35 inches.
  • Wettest season: Late spring and early summer.
  • Driest season: Late winter and early fall.
  • Annual average temperature: About 49–52°f.
  • Annual snowfall: Commonly 25–35 inches.