Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bear Creek has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 16°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 33.0 inches. The area receives 44.3 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 823 feet.
Temperature
16°F Jan (-9°C)70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average
44.5°F
18% below US avg
January Average
16°F (-9°C)
July Average
70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days
270 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
823 ft (251 m)
Area
0.9 sq mi (2.4 km²)
Population Density
295/sq mi
Coordinates
44.5313°N, 88.7275°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Waupaca County County
Nearest Airport
Appleton International (ATW) 22 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall33.0"
13% below US avg
Snowfall44.3"
Wettest Month (Aug)3.78"
Driest Month (Feb)1.02"
Air Quality
AQI Median
38.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
67.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability
55.8 / 100
Community Resilience
76.3 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
No Rating
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
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)
Earthquake History
2 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M2.9.
Aug 2, 2024
38 km ESE of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
M2.9
143 km
11 km
Jan 7, 2024
3 km NE of Mole Lake, Wisconsin
M2.5
110 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
363 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 22 fatalities, 233 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jul 18, 1996
EF5
93 km
13.3 mi
0
Jul 5, 1994
EF4
77 km
3.5 mi
0
Apr 27, 1984
EF4
50 km
27.5 mi
1
Apr 21, 1974
EF4
87 km
26.0 mi
0
Aug 19, 1968
EF4
80 km
21.8 mi
2
Apr 3, 1956
EF4
70 km
11.5 mi
7
Sep 26, 1951
EF4
51 km
26.4 mi
6
Jun 7, 2007
EF3
57 km
40.0 mi
0
Jun 23, 2004
EF3
97 km
7.6 mi
1
Jun 23, 2004
EF3
93 km
33.3 mi
0
Aug 29, 1992
EF3
81 km
28.0 mi
1
Apr 27, 1984
EF3
15 km
32.0 mi
0
Jun 5, 1977
EF3
79 km
69.5 mi
0
Sep 28, 1971
EF3
90 km
78.4 mi
0
Dec 1, 1970
EF3
23 km
13.1 mi
0
Jun 26, 1969
EF3
26 km
15.3 mi
0
Jun 25, 1950
EF3
67 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 6, 2013
EF2
17 km
13.1 mi
0
Apr 10, 2011
EF2
46 km
1.5 mi
0
Jun 7, 2007
EF2
66 km
7.3 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: COTTONVILLE INCIDENT (3,466 acres, 2005).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2005
COTTONVILLE INCIDENT
3,466
94 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
16°F (-9°C)
1.2 in
Coldest
February
19°F (-7°C)
1.0 in
Driest
March
30°F (-1°C)
2.1 in
April
44°F (7°C)
2.6 in
May
56°F (13°C)
3.5 in
June
65°F (18°C)
3.5 in
July
70°F (21°C)
3.6 in
Warmest
August
67°F (20°C)
3.8 in
Wettest
September
59°F (15°C)
3.7 in
October
47°F (9°C)
2.4 in
November
33°F (1°C)
2.2 in
December
20°F (-7°C)
1.5 in
Bear Creek has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 16°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.8") and February the driest (1.0").