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Weather & Climate in Kenosha, WI

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

Kenosha experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 262 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 36.0 inches. The area receives 32.2 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. 73% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 725 feet.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average50.5°F
6% below US avg
January Average30°F (-1°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days262 days/yr

Geography

Elevation725 ft (221 m)
Area27.0 sq mi (70.0 km²)
Population Density3,411/sq mi
Coordinates42.5875°N, 87.8800°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyKenosha County County
Nearest AirportKenosha Regional (ENW)
2 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 36.0"
5% below US avg
Snowfall 32.2"
Wettest Month (Aug) 3.98"
Driest Month (Feb) 1.30"

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood
Good Days %73.0%
Unhealthy Days11

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score85.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability23.7 / 100
Community Resilience97.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively High
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively High
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively High
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively High
Landslide Very Low
Coastal Flood Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

5 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.

Feb 10, 2010 2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois M3.8 86 km 10 km
Nov 4, 2013 1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois M3.2 88 km 1 km
Jul 15, 2024 2 km WNW of Somonauk, Illinois M3.1 125 km 10 km
Mar 25, 2015 3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois M2.9 60 km 6 km
Jun 10, 2013 4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois M2.6 84 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

381 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 42 fatalities, 1,306 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Apr 27, 1984 EF4 59 km 6.5 mi 1
Apr 4, 1981 EF4 97 km 1.8 mi 3
Sep 28, 1972 EF4 34 km 5.2 mi 0
Apr 21, 1967 EF4 58 km 8.8 mi 1
Apr 21, 1967 EF4 95 km 25.5 mi 24
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 58 km 9.1 mi 6
Aug 22, 1964 EF4 88 km 2.2 mi 0
Jun 20, 2021 EF3 97 km 17.6 mi 0
Jan 7, 2008 EF3 81 km 13.2 mi 0
Jan 7, 2008 EF3 37 km 10.8 mi 0
Jun 5, 1980 EF3 94 km 10.7 mi 0
Jul 19, 1963 EF3 30 km 10.6 mi 0
Nov 22, 2010 EF2 94 km 18.1 mi 0
Jul 22, 2010 EF2 40 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 21, 2010 EF2 60 km 5.2 mi 0
May 18, 1997 EF2 23 km 6.0 mi 0
Apr 19, 1996 EF2 16 km 2.0 mi 0
Sep 28, 1986 EF2 76 km 9.0 mi 0
Jun 15, 1981 EF2 92 km 28.7 mi 0
Aug 4, 1980 EF2 66 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.0 m (10 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1954 MICHIGAN CITY, IN (LAKE MICHIGAN) Avalanche 3.0 m 7 128 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: IBSP SOUTH F1 RX (690 acres, 2024).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2024 IBSP SOUTH F1 RX 690 21 km
2024 RX-HWY Y - SOUTH 553 82 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 30°F (-1°C) 1.7 in
February 24°F (-4°C) 1.3 in Coldest, Driest
March 34°F (1°C) 2.4 in
April 45°F (7°C) 3.7 in
May 56°F (13°C) 3.3 in
June 66°F (19°C) 3.8 in
July 72°F (22°C) 3.8 in Warmest
August 70°F (21°C) 4.0 in Wettest
September 62°F (17°C) 3.8 in
October 51°F (10°C) 2.4 in
November 38°F (3°C) 2.6 in
December 26°F (-4°C) 2.1 in

Kenosha has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 24°F in February to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 34.9 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.0") and February the driest (1.3").

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