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Weather & Climate in Cataract, WI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cataract has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 71°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 35.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 872 feet.
Temperature
15°F Jan (-9°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 44.6°F |
| 17% below US avg | |
| January Average | 15°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 270 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 872 ft (266 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 295/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.0867°N, 90.8384°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Jackson County County |
| Nearest Airport | La Crosse Regional (LSE) 25 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 48.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 62.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 50.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| 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 Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
286 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 13 fatalities, 228 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 31, 1977 | EF4 | 97 km | 31.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1958 | EF4 | 83 km | 59.2 mi | 4 |
| Apr 19, 1957 | EF4 | 58 km | 21.1 mi | 1 |
| May 15, 1998 | EF3 | 95 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 27, 1994 | EF3 | 78 km | 10.0 mi | 2 |
| Aug 27, 1994 | EF3 | 73 km | 10.5 mi | 2 |
| Jul 3, 1983 | EF3 | 49 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1980 | EF3 | 99 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 5, 1980 | EF3 | 56 km | 26.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1971 | EF3 | 94 km | 49.6 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1964 | EF3 | 100 km | 17.1 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1959 | EF3 | 48 km | 34.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1958 | EF3 | 100 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1957 | EF3 | 51 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 2022 | EF2 | 34 km | 22.9 mi | 0 |
| Dec 15, 2021 | EF2 | 48 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Dec 15, 2021 | EF2 | 91 km | 7.4 mi | 0 |
| Dec 15, 2021 | EF2 | 60 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 15, 2021 | EF2 | 47 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 23, 2011 | EF2 | 73 km | 7.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COTTONVILLE INCIDENT (3,466 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | COTTONVILLE INCIDENT | 3,466 | 87 km |
| 1987 | BIG BURN | 3,154 | 53 km |
| 2024 | 2024 DOD HARDWOOD RANGE RX | 2,717 | 63 km |
| 1994 | BIG BURN | 2,248 | 54 km |
| 2023 | 2023 RX | 1,992 | 62 km |
| 1997 | BIG BURN | 1,642 | 53 km |
| 2004 | POOL ONE NORTH | 1,576 | 54 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 1,297 | 54 km |
| 2021 | 2021 DOD HARDWOOD RANGE RX | 987 | 62 km |
| 2007 | BEAVER CUTOFF | 982 | 92 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 981 | 51 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 901 | 51 km |
| 1998 | PR 17 | 896 | 54 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 875 | 56 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 867 | 52 km |
| 2007 | PR 16 | 778 | 53 km |
| 2006 | PR 17 RX FIRE | 701 | 55 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 657 | 52 km |
| 2003 | PR 17 | 632 | 54 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 589 | 52 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15°F (-9°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.9 in | Driest |
| March | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 3.6 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (20°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 2.0 in | |
| December | 20°F (-7°C) | 1.3 in |
Cataract has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 15°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (0.9").