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Weather & Climate in Cross Plains, WI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cross Plains experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 35.8 inches. The area receives 30.0 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 873 feet.
Temperature
18°F Jan (-8°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 45.8°F |
| 15% below US avg | |
| January Average | 18°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 260 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 873 ft (266 m) |
| Area | 1.7 sq mi (4.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,159/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.1150°N, 89.6471°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Dane County County |
| Nearest Airport | Dane County Regional/Truax Field (MSN) 16 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 93.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 15.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 97.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very High |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
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 | 147 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
539 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 24 fatalities, 599 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 7, 1984 | EF5 | 32 km | 36.0 mi | 9 |
| Jul 3, 1983 | EF4 | 42 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1974 | EF4 | 97 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1957 | EF4 | 94 km | 21.1 mi | 1 |
| Sep 26, 1951 | EF4 | 51 km | 9.0 mi | 1 |
| Aug 7, 2021 | EF3 | 87 km | 9.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF3 | 15 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 18, 2005 | EF3 | 28 km | 18.6 mi | 1 |
| Jun 23, 2004 | EF3 | 84 km | 33.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2004 | EF3 | 84 km | 7.6 mi | 1 |
| Jun 17, 1992 | EF3 | 28 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1988 | EF3 | 76 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1984 | EF3 | 50 km | 29.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1980 | EF3 | 71 km | 10.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 1980 | EF3 | 68 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1975 | EF3 | 36 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1974 | EF3 | 87 km | 22.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1974 | EF3 | 84 km | 58.6 mi | 2 |
| Aug 2, 1967 | EF3 | 16 km | 0.1 mi | 2 |
| Apr 16, 1967 | EF3 | 70 km | 27.8 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 | 95 km |
| 2010 | RX BURN | 1,236 | 95 km |
| 1994 | SOMMERS | 938 | 93 km |
| 1988 | PEACHY RD | 812 | 92 km |
| 2018 | 2018 BADGER RX BURNS | 659 | 30 km |
| 2019 | 2019 BADGER RX BURNS | 627 | 29 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 612 | 93 km |
| 2007 | TOWER RD 2 | 592 | 92 km |
| 2024 | RX-HWY Y - SOUTH | 553 | 75 km |
| 2009 | COLD SPRINGS | 552 | 49 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.1 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 21°F (-6°C) | 1.1 in | |
| March | 32°F (0°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 4.2 in | Wettest |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 35°F (2°C) | 2.2 in | |
| December | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.7 in |
Cross Plains has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 18°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.9 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.2") and January the driest (1.1").