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Weather & Climate in Chain O' Lakes, WI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Chain O' Lakes 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 33.8 inches. The area receives 49.3 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 901 feet.
Temperature
16°F Jan (-9°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 44.8°F |
| 17% below US avg | |
| January Average | 16°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 270 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 901 ft (275 m) |
| Area | 3.4 sq mi (8.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 294/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.3320°N, 89.1628°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Waushara County County |
| Nearest Airport | Appleton International (ATW) 32 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 43.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 33.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 50.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| 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 | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively 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 | 132 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
444 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 26 fatalities, 370 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 18, 1996 | EF5 | 83 km | 13.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1984 | EF4 | 43 km | 27.5 mi | 1 |
| Aug 31, 1977 | EF4 | 89 km | 31.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1974 | EF4 | 70 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1957 | EF4 | 96 km | 21.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1956 | EF4 | 47 km | 11.5 mi | 7 |
| Sep 26, 1951 | EF4 | 96 km | 9.0 mi | 1 |
| Sep 26, 1951 | EF4 | 11 km | 26.4 mi | 6 |
| Jun 7, 2007 | EF3 | 77 km | 40.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2004 | EF3 | 76 km | 7.6 mi | 1 |
| Jun 23, 2004 | EF3 | 69 km | 33.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 27, 1994 | EF3 | 66 km | 10.5 mi | 2 |
| Aug 29, 1992 | EF3 | 41 km | 28.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 8, 1984 | EF3 | 98 km | 29.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1984 | EF3 | 29 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1983 | EF3 | 90 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 1980 | EF3 | 96 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1977 | EF3 | 67 km | 69.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1974 | EF3 | 98 km | 58.6 mi | 2 |
| Apr 21, 1974 | EF3 | 93 km | 22.2 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 | 53 km |
| 1987 | BIG BURN | 3,154 | 83 km |
| 2024 | 2024 DOD HARDWOOD RANGE RX | 2,717 | 74 km |
| 1994 | BIG BURN | 2,248 | 83 km |
| 2023 | 2023 RX | 1,992 | 74 km |
| 1997 | BIG BURN | 1,642 | 83 km |
| 2004 | POOL ONE NORTH | 1,576 | 85 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,524 | 100 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 1,297 | 82 km |
| 2021 | 2021 DOD HARDWOOD RANGE RX | 987 | 75 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 981 | 88 km |
| 1994 | SOMMERS | 938 | 94 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 901 | 85 km |
| 1998 | PR 17 | 896 | 85 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 875 | 83 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 867 | 87 km |
| 1988 | PEACHY RD | 812 | 97 km |
| 2007 | PR 16 | 778 | 83 km |
| 2006 | PR 17 RX FIRE | 701 | 82 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 657 | 85 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°F (-9°C) | 1.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 20°F (-7°C) | 1.0 in | Driest |
| March | 31°F (-0°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 2.8 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 3.6 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 2.2 in | |
| December | 21°F (-6°C) | 1.5 in |
Chain O' Lakes has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 16°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.9 inches, with September being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (1.0").