Weather & Climate in French Island, WI

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

French Island experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 35.2 inches. The area receives 46.3 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 653 feet.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	48.8°F
	10% below US avg
January Average	19°F (-7°C)
July Average	75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	260 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	653 ft (199 m)
Area	2.3 sq mi (6.0 km²)
Population Density	2,097/sq mi
Coordinates	43.8587°N, 91.2608°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	La Crosse County County
Nearest Airport	La Crosse Regional (LSE) 1 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 35.2"

7% below US avg

Snowfall 46.3"

Wettest Month (Aug) 4.13"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.83"

Air Quality

AQI Median	38.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	80.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	16.3 / 100
Community Resilience	92.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	No Rating
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively High
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Relatively Moderate

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Tornado History

308 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 6 fatalities, 176 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Sep 16, 1962	EF4	96 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 19, 1957	EF4	87 km	21.1 mi	1
Aug 7, 2021	EF3	92 km	9.4 mi	0
May 15, 1998	EF3	91 km	8.0 mi	0
Aug 27, 1994	EF3	89 km	10.0 mi	2
Jul 3, 1983	EF3	86 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 5, 1980	EF3	21 km	26.9 mi	0
Jun 24, 1971	EF3	99 km	0.1 mi	1
May 5, 1965	EF3	73 km	65.2 mi	0
Sep 3, 1964	EF3	89 km	17.1 mi	0
May 26, 1959	EF3	20 km	34.3 mi	0
Apr 19, 1957	EF3	68 km	9.0 mi	0
Jun 15, 2022	EF2	60 km	22.9 mi	0
Dec 15, 2021	EF2	81 km	3.1 mi	0
Dec 15, 2021	EF2	99 km	1.1 mi	0
Dec 15, 2021	EF2	83 km	2.8 mi	0
May 22, 2011	EF2	21 km	13.8 mi	0
May 22, 2011	EF2	59 km	64.5 mi	0
Aug 18, 2005	EF2	55 km	20.0 mi	0
Jul 8, 1999	EF2	54 km	3.5 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BIG BURN (3,154 acres, 1987).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1987	BIG BURN	3,154	93 km
1994	BIG BURN	2,248	93 km
1997	BIG BURN	1,642	93 km
2004	POOL ONE NORTH	1,576	91 km
1998	UNNAMED	1,297	94 km
2007	BEAVER CUTOFF	982	67 km
2007	UNNAMED	981	88 km
2003	UNNAMED	901	91 km
1998	PR 17	896	91 km
2007	UNNAMED	875	93 km
2009	UNNAMED	867	89 km
2007	PR 16	778	93 km
2006	PR 17 RX FIRE	701	94 km
2005	UNNAMED	657	90 km
2003	PR 17	632	94 km
2009	UNNAMED	589	91 km
2004	UNNAMED	580	92 km
2003	UNNAMED	580	89 km
2003	OS 23	571	90 km
2008	UNNAMED	569	91 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	19°F (-7°C)	0.9 in	Coldest
February	21°F (-6°C)	0.8 in	Driest
March	33°F (0°C)	1.9 in
April	47°F (8°C)	2.9 in
May	59°F (15°C)	3.5 in
June	68°F (20°C)	4.0 in
July	75°F (24°C)	3.9 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	4.1 in	Wettest
September	62°F (16°C)	4.0 in
October	50°F (10°C)	2.3 in
November	35°F (2°C)	1.8 in
December	21°F (-6°C)	1.3 in

French Island has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 19°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (0.8").

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