Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Dane experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 35.5 inches. The area receives 42.6 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. 72% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 1,072 feet.
Temperature
18°F Jan (-8°C)71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
46.0°F
15% below US avg
January Average
18°F (-8°C)
July Average
71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
260 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
1,072 ft (327 m)
Area
1.1 sq mi (2.9 km²)
Population Density
881/sq mi
Coordinates
43.2461°N, 89.4996°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Dane County County
Nearest Airport
Dane County Regional/Truax Field (MSN) 11 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall35.5"
7% below US avg
Snowfall42.6"
Wettest Month (Aug)4.13"
Driest Month (Feb)1.14"
Air Quality
AQI Median
42.0
Rating
Good
Good Days %
72.1%
Unhealthy Days
0
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
150 km
6 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
556 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 33 fatalities, 703 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jul 18, 1996
EF5
87 km
13.3 mi
0
Jun 7, 1984
EF5
50 km
36.0 mi
9
Apr 27, 1984
EF4
96 km
6.5 mi
1
Jul 3, 1983
EF4
60 km
0.5 mi
0
Apr 21, 1974
EF4
78 km
26.0 mi
0
Apr 19, 1957
EF4
88 km
21.1 mi
1
Apr 3, 1956
EF4
87 km
11.5 mi
7
Sep 26, 1951
EF4
32 km
9.0 mi
1
Aug 7, 2021
EF3
100 km
9.4 mi
0
Jun 16, 2014
EF3
28 km
1.0 mi
0
Aug 18, 2005
EF3
37 km
18.6 mi
1
Jun 23, 2004
EF3
65 km
33.3 mi
0
Jun 23, 2004
EF3
65 km
7.6 mi
1
Aug 29, 1992
EF3
92 km
28.0 mi
1
Jun 17, 1992
EF3
41 km
16.0 mi
0
May 8, 1988
EF3
95 km
16.0 mi
0
Jun 8, 1984
EF3
32 km
29.0 mi
0
Jun 5, 1980
EF3
61 km
10.7 mi
0
Apr 7, 1980
EF3
50 km
1.2 mi
0
Jun 5, 1977
EF3
89 km
69.5 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
11 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: COTTONVILLE INCIDENT (3,466 acres, 2005).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2005
COTTONVILLE INCIDENT
3,466
98 km
2006
UNNAMED
1,524
78 km
2010
RX BURN
1,236
78 km
1994
SOMMERS
938
75 km
1988
PEACHY RD
812
74 km
2018
2018 BADGER RX BURNS
659
25 km
2019
2019 BADGER RX BURNS
627
24 km
2006
UNNAMED
612
76 km
2007
TOWER RD 2
592
74 km
2024
RX-HWY Y - SOUTH
553
69 km
2009
COLD SPRINGS
552
65 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
45°F (7°C)
3.3 in
May
58°F (14°C)
3.4 in
June
67°F (19°C)
3.9 in
July
71°F (22°C)
3.9 in
Warmest
August
69°F (20°C)
4.1 in
Wettest
September
61°F (16°C)
3.6 in
October
49°F (9°C)
2.3 in
November
35°F (2°C)
2.2 in
December
22°F (-6°C)
1.6 in
Dane has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 18°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (1.1").