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Weather & Climate in Butternut, WI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Butternut has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 249 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 37.5 inches. The area receives 134.4 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 1,507 feet.
Temperature
13°F Jan (-11°C)
67°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 41.3°F |
| 24% below US avg | |
| January Average | 13°F (-11°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 249 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,507 ft (459 m) |
| Area | 1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 266/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.0133°N, 90.4974°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Iron County County |
| Nearest Airport | Rice Lake Regional/Carl's Field (RIE) 74 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 11.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 76.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 31.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | 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 | 133 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
119 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 5 fatalities, 104 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 25, 1950 | EF4 | 86 km | 13.1 mi | 2 |
| Sep 2, 2002 | EF3 | 78 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1985 | EF3 | 10 km | 68.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 1984 | EF3 | 65 km | 29.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 7, 1970 | EF3 | 48 km | 37.9 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 1955 | EF3 | 97 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 2010 | EF2 | 26 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 2002 | EF2 | 76 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 2, 2002 | EF2 | 96 km | 17.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1994 | EF2 | 69 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1991 | EF2 | 48 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1986 | EF2 | 74 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 12, 1982 | EF2 | 90 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 20, 1972 | EF2 | 38 km | 13.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1969 | EF2 | 49 km | 28.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1964 | EF2 | 88 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 1961 | EF2 | 2 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1959 | EF2 | 98 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 1958 | EF2 | 37 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1958 | EF2 | 67 km | 13.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
18 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: GERMANN ROAD FIRE (6,751 acres, 2013).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2013 | GERMANN ROAD FIRE | 6,751 | 93 km |
| 2019 | NW SANDS UNITS I/F/C/A | 3,386 | 91 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,682 | 92 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,240 | 92 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,116 | 87 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,407 | 89 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,361 | 91 km |
| 2021 | NW SANDS - BLOCK E RX | 1,361 | 89 km |
| 2019 | RILEY | 1,254 | 33 km |
| 2007 | PIONEER FIRE | 1,072 | 58 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 961 | 90 km |
| 2024 | NW SANDS BLOCK J RX | 911 | 94 km |
| 2024 | NW SANDS BLOCK B RX | 844 | 89 km |
| 2018 | NW SANDS BLOCK C | 771 | 87 km |
| 1987 | FOULDS CREEK | 750 | 37 km |
| 2022 | BRINKS 8C - SOUTH RX | 725 | 89 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 702 | 33 km |
| 2022 | LDF MARSH BURN 2022 | 503 | 46 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13°F (-11°C) | 1.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 15°F (-9°C) | 0.9 in | Driest |
| March | 26°F (-4°C) | 1.9 in | |
| April | 39°F (4°C) | 2.4 in | |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 3.5 in | |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 63°F (17°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| September | 55°F (13°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 44°F (7°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 29°F (-2°C) | 2.2 in | |
| December | 15°F (-9°C) | 1.7 in |
Butternut has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 13°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (0.9").