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Weather & Climate in Dalton, WI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Dalton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 36.4 inches. The area receives 45.5 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 856 feet.
Temperature
18°F Jan (-8°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 46.6°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 18°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 260 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 856 ft (261 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 491/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.6564°N, 89.2076°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Columbia County County |
| Nearest Airport | Dane County Regional/Truax Field (MSN) 36 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
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)
Tornado History
549 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 47 fatalities, 755 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 18, 1996 | EF5 | 48 km | 13.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1984 | EF5 | 99 km | 36.0 mi | 9 |
| Apr 27, 1984 | EF4 | 60 km | 27.5 mi | 1 |
| Apr 4, 1981 | EF4 | 85 km | 1.8 mi | 3 |
| Apr 21, 1974 | EF4 | 32 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1957 | EF4 | 82 km | 21.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1956 | EF4 | 36 km | 11.5 mi | 7 |
| Sep 26, 1951 | EF4 | 21 km | 9.0 mi | 1 |
| Sep 26, 1951 | EF4 | 75 km | 26.4 mi | 6 |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF3 | 78 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 18, 2005 | EF3 | 84 km | 18.6 mi | 1 |
| Jun 23, 2004 | EF3 | 16 km | 33.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2004 | EF3 | 21 km | 7.6 mi | 1 |
| Aug 27, 1994 | EF3 | 76 km | 10.5 mi | 2 |
| Aug 29, 1992 | EF3 | 52 km | 28.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 17, 1992 | EF3 | 90 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1984 | EF3 | 23 km | 29.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1984 | EF3 | 100 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1983 | EF3 | 95 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1980 | EF3 | 68 km | 10.7 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 | 66 km |
| 1987 | BIG BURN | 3,154 | 96 km |
| 2024 | 2024 DOD HARDWOOD RANGE RX | 2,717 | 95 km |
| 1994 | BIG BURN | 2,248 | 95 km |
| 2023 | 2023 RX | 1,992 | 95 km |
| 1997 | BIG BURN | 1,642 | 97 km |
| 2004 | POOL ONE NORTH | 1,576 | 89 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,524 | 50 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 1,297 | 95 km |
| 2010 | RX BURN | 1,236 | 50 km |
| 2021 | 2021 DOD HARDWOOD RANGE RX | 987 | 96 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 981 | 92 km |
| 1994 | SOMMERS | 938 | 44 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 901 | 97 km |
| 1998 | PR 17 | 896 | 89 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 875 | 88 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 867 | 92 km |
| 1988 | PEACHY RD | 812 | 45 km |
| 2007 | PR 16 | 778 | 96 km |
| 2006 | PR 17 RX FIRE | 701 | 95 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 21°F (-6°C) | 1.1 in | Driest |
| March | 33°F (0°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 3.3 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 4.0 in | Wettest |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 49°F (10°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 35°F (2°C) | 2.3 in | |
| December | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.5 in |
Dalton has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 18°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.0") and February the driest (1.1").