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Weather & Climate in Chief Lake, WI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Chief Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 251 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 40.3 inches. The area receives 67.2 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 1,432 feet.
Temperature
12°F Jan (-11°C)
67°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 41.4°F |
| 23% below US avg | |
| January Average | 12°F (-11°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 251 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,432 ft (436 m) |
| Area | 23.6 sq mi (61.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 30/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.9387°N, 91.3359°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Sawyer County County |
| Nearest Airport | Rice Lake Regional/Carl's Field (RIE) 42 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 74.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 84.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 52.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
146 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 4 fatalities, 156 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 30, 1977 | EF4 | 95 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2017 | EF3 | 100 km | 82.5 mi | 1 |
| Sep 2, 2002 | EF3 | 55 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1985 | EF3 | 67 km | 68.0 mi | 2 |
| Jul 1, 2011 | EF2 | 59 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 2010 | EF2 | 63 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 2, 2002 | EF2 | 93 km | 17.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1994 | EF2 | 96 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1994 | EF2 | 62 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 11, 1990 | EF2 | 62 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 11, 1990 | EF2 | 65 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1986 | EF2 | 73 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 12, 1982 | EF2 | 64 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1980 | EF2 | 83 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 30, 1977 | EF2 | 85 km | 34.5 mi | 1 |
| Aug 24, 1975 | EF2 | 75 km | 34.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 20, 1972 | EF2 | 75 km | 13.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1968 | EF2 | 49 km | 39.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 1967 | EF2 | 84 km | 49.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1966 | EF2 | 99 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 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 | 49 km |
| 2019 | NW SANDS UNITS I/F/C/A | 3,386 | 77 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,682 | 77 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,240 | 78 km |
| 2024 | RX-86_FY23 | 2,187 | 97 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,116 | 75 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,407 | 76 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,361 | 76 km |
| 2021 | NW SANDS - BLOCK E RX | 1,361 | 76 km |
| 2019 | RILEY | 1,254 | 91 km |
| 2007 | PIONEER FIRE | 1,072 | 36 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 961 | 74 km |
| 2024 | NW SANDS BLOCK J RX | 911 | 79 km |
| 2024 | NW SANDS BLOCK B RX | 844 | 74 km |
| 2013 | CRANBERRY FIRE | 779 | 99 km |
| 2018 | NW SANDS BLOCK C | 771 | 74 km |
| 1987 | FOULDS CREEK | 750 | 97 km |
| 2022 | BRINKS 8C - SOUTH RX | 725 | 84 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 702 | 92 km |
| 2024 | RX-64 | 553 | 100 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12°F (-11°C) | 1.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.9 in | Driest |
| March | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.8 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 2.4 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 3.3 in | |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 67°F (20°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 65°F (19°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 4.5 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.7 in | |
| December | 15°F (-9°C) | 1.3 in |
Chief Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 12°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (0.9").