Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fall River 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 38. The city sits at an elevation of 853 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
853 ft (260 m)
Area
1.9 sq mi (4.9 km²)
Population Density
920/sq mi
Coordinates
43.3859°N, 89.0455°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Columbia County County
Nearest Airport
Dane County Regional/Truax Field (MSN) 22 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall35.5"
7% below US avg
Snowfall42.6"
Wettest Month (Aug)3.90"
Driest Month (Feb)1.14"
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)
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
144 km
6 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
586 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 35 fatalities, 910 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jul 18, 1996
EF5
49 km
13.3 mi
0
Jun 7, 1984
EF5
89 km
36.0 mi
9
Apr 27, 1984
EF4
81 km
27.5 mi
1
Apr 27, 1984
EF4
71 km
6.5 mi
1
Jul 3, 1983
EF4
99 km
0.5 mi
0
Apr 4, 1981
EF4
69 km
1.8 mi
3
Apr 21, 1974
EF4
44 km
26.0 mi
0
Aug 22, 1964
EF4
91 km
2.2 mi
0
Apr 3, 1956
EF4
61 km
11.5 mi
7
Sep 26, 1951
EF4
19 km
9.0 mi
1
Jun 16, 2014
EF3
60 km
1.0 mi
0
Aug 18, 2005
EF3
61 km
18.6 mi
1
Jun 23, 2004
EF3
37 km
33.3 mi
0
Jun 23, 2004
EF3
33 km
7.6 mi
1
Aug 29, 1992
EF3
85 km
28.0 mi
1
Jun 17, 1992
EF3
69 km
16.0 mi
0
Jun 8, 1984
EF3
17 km
29.0 mi
0
Jun 5, 1980
EF3
36 km
10.7 mi
0
Apr 7, 1980
EF3
12 km
1.2 mi
0
Jun 5, 1977
EF3
55 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
38 km
2010
RX BURN
1,236
38 km
1994
SOMMERS
938
36 km
1988
PEACHY RD
812
34 km
2018
2018 BADGER RX BURNS
659
57 km
2019
2019 BADGER RX BURNS
627
56 km
2006
UNNAMED
612
36 km
2007
TOWER RD 2
592
34 km
2024
RX-HWY Y - SOUTH
553
53 km
2009
COLD SPRINGS
552
92 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)
2.1 in
April
46°F (8°C)
3.2 in
May
58°F (14°C)
3.4 in
June
67°F (19°C)
3.9 in
July
71°F (22°C)
3.8 in
Warmest
August
69°F (20°C)
3.9 in
Wettest
September
61°F (16°C)
3.8 in
October
49°F (10°C)
2.4 in
November
35°F (2°C)
2.3 in
December
22°F (-6°C)
1.7 in
Fall River has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 18°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (1.1").