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Weather & Climate in Catawba, WI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Catawba has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 69°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 33.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 1,531 feet.
Temperature
12°F Jan (-11°C)
69°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 42.4°F |
| 21% below US avg | |
| January Average | 12°F (-11°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 270 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,531 ft (467 m) |
| Area | 5.9 sq mi (15.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 40/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.5371°N, 90.5335°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Price County County |
| Nearest Airport | Rice Lake Regional/Carl's Field (RIE) 61 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 32.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 56.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 56.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very 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 | 124 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
218 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 10 fatalities, 225 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 31, 1977 | EF4 | 91 km | 31.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 30, 1977 | EF4 | 92 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1958 | EF4 | 100 km | 11.1 mi | 3 |
| Jun 25, 1950 | EF4 | 74 km | 13.1 mi | 2 |
| Apr 10, 2011 | EF3 | 69 km | 21.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 2, 2002 | EF3 | 47 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1985 | EF3 | 44 km | 68.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 1984 | EF3 | 57 km | 29.0 mi | 1 |
| Sep 28, 1971 | EF3 | 91 km | 78.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1971 | EF3 | 79 km | 49.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1970 | EF3 | 91 km | 37.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1958 | EF3 | 82 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 1955 | EF3 | 68 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| Dec 15, 2021 | EF2 | 79 km | 7.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 23, 2011 | EF2 | 95 km | 7.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 2010 | EF2 | 77 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 2002 | EF2 | 50 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 2, 2002 | EF2 | 46 km | 17.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 1997 | EF2 | 95 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1996 | EF2 | 63 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
5 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RILEY (1,254 acres, 2019).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2019 | RILEY | 1,254 | 43 km |
| 2007 | PIONEER FIRE | 1,072 | 93 km |
| 1987 | FOULDS CREEK | 750 | 48 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 702 | 44 km |
| 2022 | LDF MARSH BURN 2022 | 503 | 75 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12°F (-11°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 15°F (-9°C) | 0.8 in | Driest |
| March | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.7 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 2.5 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 62°F (17°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 69°F (20°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| September | 56°F (13°C) | 4.3 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 2.7 in | |
| November | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.9 in | |
| December | 16°F (-9°C) | 1.3 in |
Catawba has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 12°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.9 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (0.8").