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Weather & Climate in Balsam Lake, WI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Balsam Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (6°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 270 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 34.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 1,147 feet.
Temperature
13°F Jan (-11°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 43.5°F |
| 19% below US avg | |
| January Average | 13°F (-11°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 270 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,147 ft (350 m) |
| Area | 3.4 sq mi (8.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 367/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.4620°N, 92.4471°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Polk County County |
| Nearest Airport | New Richmond Regional (RNH) 22 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 63.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 40.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 55.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
326 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 51 fatalities, 844 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 4, 1958 | EF5 | 63 km | 33.7 mi | 21 |
| Jul 3, 1983 | EF4 | 73 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 30, 1977 | EF4 | 82 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1965 | EF4 | 81 km | 6.8 mi | 3 |
| May 6, 1965 | EF4 | 91 km | 17.3 mi | 6 |
| Jun 4, 1958 | EF4 | 97 km | 11.1 mi | 3 |
| May 21, 1957 | EF4 | 36 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 24, 2019 | EF3 | 89 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2017 | EF3 | 32 km | 82.5 mi | 1 |
| May 25, 2008 | EF3 | 57 km | 6.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 18, 2001 | EF3 | 39 km | 34.0 mi | 2 |
| Jul 23, 1987 | EF3 | 88 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1984 | EF3 | 79 km | 5.5 mi | 1 |
| Jun 14, 1981 | EF3 | 96 km | 16.2 mi | 1 |
| Jul 30, 1977 | EF3 | 37 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1968 | EF3 | 95 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1958 | EF3 | 52 km | 59.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1952 | EF3 | 15 km | 18.2 mi | 2 |
| Sep 12, 1951 | EF3 | 97 km | 24.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 2010 | EF2 | 78 km | 6.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNITS 37 38 39 A (4,879 acres, 2003).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2003 | UNITS 37 38 39 A | 4,879 | 97 km |
| 1998 | UNITS 1617 | 4,649 | 98 km |
| 2005 | RX HFR 05 | 4,253 | 98 km |
| 2007 | WUI 07 - UNIT 36 | 4,025 | 96 km |
| 2000 | UNIT 25 | 3,412 | 97 km |
| 1997 | BIG | 2,987 | 99 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 2,904 | 56 km |
| 2003 | UNITS 34 33 W | 2,637 | 98 km |
| 1992 | SHARPTAIL | 2,288 | 98 km |
| 2024 | RX-86_FY23 | 2,187 | 48 km |
| 2010 | WUI 10 UNIT D | 2,042 | 98 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,906 | 95 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,850 | 46 km |
| 2009 | UNIT 23 24 26 | 1,644 | 99 km |
| 1995 | ANTLER | 1,603 | 98 km |
| 2004 | WUI UNIT 16 | 1,592 | 99 km |
| 1995 | UNIT 16 | 1,570 | 99 km |
| 1992 | UNIT 25 | 1,460 | 97 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 1,371 | 79 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 1,280 | 98 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 17°F (-9°C) | 0.8 in | Driest |
| March | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.7 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 2.6 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 65°F (19°C) | 4.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 4.4 in | |
| September | 58°F (15°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 2.5 in | |
| November | 31°F (-1°C) | 1.6 in | |
| December | 16°F (-9°C) | 1.2 in |
Balsam Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 13°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.4") and February the driest (0.8").