Weather & Climate in Columbus, WI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Columbus experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.1 inches. The area receives 43.3 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. 92% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 870 feet.
Temperature
19°F Jan (-7°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 46.7°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 19°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 870 ft (265 m) |
| Area | 4.3 sq mi (11.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,210/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.3368°N, 89.0300°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Columbia County County |
| Nearest Airport | Dane County Regional/Truax Field (MSN) 21 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 91.6% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 81.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 24.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 91.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| 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)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.9.
| Mar 25, 2015 | 3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois | M2.9 | 139 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
588 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 34 fatalities, 906 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 18, 1996 | EF5 | 52 km | 13.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1984 | EF5 | 87 km | 36.0 mi | 9 |
| Apr 27, 1984 | EF4 | 86 km | 27.5 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 1984 | EF4 | 67 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 3, 1983 | EF4 | 98 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1981 | EF4 | 68 km | 1.8 mi | 3 |
| Apr 21, 1974 | EF4 | 49 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 22, 1964 | EF4 | 90 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1956 | EF4 | 66 km | 11.5 mi | 7 |
| Sep 26, 1951 | EF4 | 23 km | 9.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF3 | 57 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 18, 2005 | EF3 | 57 km | 18.6 mi | 1 |
| Jun 23, 2004 | EF3 | 38 km | 7.6 mi | 1 |
| Jun 23, 2004 | EF3 | 43 km | 33.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 29, 1992 | EF3 | 91 km | 28.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 17, 1992 | EF3 | 65 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1984 | EF3 | 21 km | 29.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1980 | EF3 | 31 km | 10.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 1980 | EF3 | 17 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1977 | EF3 | 59 km | 69.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
10 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,524 acres, 2006).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,524 | 39 km |
| 2010 | RX BURN | 1,236 | 40 km |
| 1994 | SOMMERS | 938 | 38 km |
| 1988 | PEACHY RD | 812 | 36 km |
| 2018 | 2018 BADGER RX BURNS | 659 | 58 km |
| 2019 | 2019 BADGER RX BURNS | 627 | 58 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 612 | 39 km |
| 2007 | TOWER RD 2 | 592 | 36 km |
| 2024 | RX-HWY Y - SOUTH | 553 | 47 km |
| 2009 | COLD SPRINGS | 552 | 88 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°F (-7°C) | 1.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.5 in | |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 5.7 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 4.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 3.3 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 2.2 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.6 in |
Columbus has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 19°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.7") and January the driest (1.5").