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Weather & Climate in Clayton, WI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Clayton has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (6°C). Winters average 13°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 34.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 1,219 feet.
Temperature
13°F Jan (-11°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 43.5°F |
| 19% below US avg | |
| January Average | 13°F (-11°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 270 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,219 ft (372 m) |
| Area | 3.2 sq mi (8.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 107/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.3275°N, 92.1645°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Polk County County |
| Nearest Airport | Rice Lake Regional/Carl's Field (RIE) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 63.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 40.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 55.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
334 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 49 fatalities, 651 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 4, 1958 | EF5 | 49 km | 33.7 mi | 21 |
| Jul 3, 1983 | EF4 | 91 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 30, 1977 | EF4 | 56 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1965 | EF4 | 94 km | 6.8 mi | 3 |
| Jun 4, 1958 | EF4 | 94 km | 59.2 mi | 4 |
| Jun 4, 1958 | EF4 | 70 km | 11.1 mi | 3 |
| May 21, 1957 | EF4 | 62 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 24, 2019 | EF3 | 64 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2017 | EF3 | 8 km | 82.5 mi | 1 |
| May 25, 2008 | EF3 | 71 km | 6.0 mi | 1 |
| Sep 2, 2002 | EF3 | 82 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 2001 | EF3 | 63 km | 34.0 mi | 2 |
| May 15, 1998 | EF3 | 88 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 27, 1994 | EF3 | 95 km | 10.0 mi | 2 |
| Jul 27, 1987 | EF3 | 95 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1984 | EF3 | 90 km | 5.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 15, 1980 | EF3 | 75 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 30, 1977 | EF3 | 18 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1971 | EF3 | 100 km | 49.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1958 | EF3 | 89 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
6 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (2,904 acres, 2009).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 2,904 | 74 km |
| 2024 | RX-86_FY23 | 2,187 | 70 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,850 | 72 km |
| 2004 | EAGAN | 925 | 98 km |
| 2013 | CRANBERRY FIRE | 779 | 69 km |
| 2024 | RX-64 | 553 | 68 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13°F (-11°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.9 in | Driest |
| March | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.9 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 2.7 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 4.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 4.4 in | |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 2.5 in | |
| November | 31°F (-1°C) | 1.7 in | |
| December | 16°F (-9°C) | 1.3 in |
Clayton has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 13°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.4") and February the driest (0.9").