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Weather & Climate in Dorchester, WI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Dorchester has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (5°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 68°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 34.2 inches. The area receives 57.0 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 1,424 feet.
Temperature
11°F Jan (-11°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 41.8°F |
| 23% below US avg | |
| January Average | 11°F (-11°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 270 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,424 ft (434 m) |
| Area | 1.4 sq mi (3.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 588/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.0014°N, 90.3312°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Taylor County County |
| Nearest Airport | Chippewa Valley Regional (EAU) 57 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 37.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 44.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 54.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very 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: M2.5.
| Jan 7, 2024 | 3 km NE of Mole Lake, Wisconsin | M2.5 | 122 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
269 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 16 fatalities, 260 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 31, 1977 | EF4 | 31 km | 31.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 30, 1977 | EF4 | 95 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1958 | EF4 | 90 km | 11.1 mi | 3 |
| Jun 4, 1958 | EF4 | 78 km | 59.2 mi | 4 |
| Jun 25, 1950 | EF4 | 87 km | 13.1 mi | 2 |
| Apr 10, 2011 | EF3 | 37 km | 21.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 2, 2002 | EF3 | 81 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 27, 1994 | EF3 | 94 km | 10.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 1984 | EF3 | 84 km | 29.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 15, 1980 | EF3 | 96 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| Sep 28, 1971 | EF3 | 58 km | 78.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1971 | EF3 | 56 km | 49.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1958 | EF3 | 66 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 1955 | EF3 | 60 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| Dec 15, 2021 | EF2 | 49 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 15, 2021 | EF2 | 64 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Dec 15, 2021 | EF2 | 67 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 15, 2021 | EF2 | 53 km | 7.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 23, 2011 | EF2 | 37 km | 7.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2007 | EF2 | 71 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
18 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BIG BURN (3,154 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | BIG BURN | 3,154 | 94 km |
| 2024 | 2024 DOD HARDWOOD RANGE RX | 2,717 | 88 km |
| 1994 | BIG BURN | 2,248 | 95 km |
| 2023 | 2023 RX | 1,992 | 87 km |
| 1997 | BIG BURN | 1,642 | 93 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 1,297 | 94 km |
| 2019 | RILEY | 1,254 | 93 km |
| 2021 | 2021 DOD HARDWOOD RANGE RX | 987 | 87 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 901 | 94 km |
| 2007 | PR 16 | 778 | 94 km |
| 1987 | FOULDS CREEK | 750 | 95 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 702 | 94 km |
| 2006 | PR 17 RX FIRE | 701 | 94 km |
| 2003 | PR 17 | 632 | 94 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 589 | 98 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 580 | 91 km |
| 2001 | BIG BURN | 565 | 94 km |
| 2024 | RX-UPPER SEVENTEEN | 520 | 81 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11°F (-11°C) | 1.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 15°F (-9°C) | 0.9 in | Driest |
| March | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.7 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 2.6 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 3.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 4.3 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.1 in | |
| December | 16°F (-9°C) | 1.3 in |
Dorchester has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 11°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.6 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (0.9").