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Weather & Climate in Big Falls, WI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Big Falls has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 15°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 34.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 951 feet.
Temperature
15°F Jan (-9°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 44.3°F |
| 18% below US avg | |
| January Average | 15°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 270 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 951 ft (290 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 334/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.6156°N, 89.0202°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Portage County County |
| Nearest Airport | Appleton International (ATW) 35 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 62.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 85.2 / 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 Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.5.
| Jan 7, 2024 | 3 km NE of Mole Lake, Wisconsin | M2.5 | 99 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
355 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 23 fatalities, 268 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 1984 | EF4 | 63 km | 27.5 mi | 1 |
| Aug 31, 1977 | EF4 | 87 km | 31.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1974 | EF4 | 97 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 1968 | EF4 | 90 km | 21.8 mi | 2 |
| Apr 3, 1956 | EF4 | 76 km | 11.5 mi | 7 |
| Sep 26, 1951 | EF4 | 39 km | 26.4 mi | 6 |
| Apr 10, 2011 | EF3 | 88 km | 21.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2007 | EF3 | 44 km | 40.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2004 | EF3 | 100 km | 33.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 27, 1994 | EF3 | 92 km | 10.5 mi | 2 |
| Aug 29, 1992 | EF3 | 73 km | 28.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 1984 | EF3 | 12 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1977 | EF3 | 91 km | 69.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1971 | EF3 | 67 km | 78.4 mi | 0 |
| Dec 1, 1970 | EF3 | 43 km | 13.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1969 | EF3 | 51 km | 15.3 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 1955 | EF3 | 97 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1950 | EF3 | 74 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 2013 | EF2 | 32 km | 13.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 10, 2011 | EF2 | 100 km | 17.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
4 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COTTONVILLE INCIDENT (3,466 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | COTTONVILLE INCIDENT | 3,466 | 81 km |
| 2024 | 2024 DOD HARDWOOD RANGE RX | 2,717 | 94 km |
| 2023 | 2023 RX | 1,992 | 95 km |
| 2021 | 2021 DOD HARDWOOD RANGE RX | 987 | 95 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15°F (-9°C) | 1.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.9 in | Driest |
| March | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 2.7 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 3.6 in | |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| September | 58°F (15°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 33°F (0°C) | 2.1 in | |
| December | 20°F (-7°C) | 1.4 in |
Big Falls has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 15°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (0.9").