Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
La Crosse enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 70°F (21°C). Winters average 55°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 319 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 145 feet.
Temperature
55°F Jan (13°C)81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
69.5°F
29% above US avg
January Average
55°F (13°C)
July Average
81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
319 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
145 ft (44 m)
Area
4.5 sq mi (11.5 km²)
Population Density
49/sq mi
Coordinates
29.8501°N, 82.4026°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Alachua County County
Nearest Airport
Gainesville Regional (GNV) 14 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Wettest Month (Aug)8.11"
Driest Month (Oct)2.24"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
90.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability
34.8 / 100
Community Resilience
81.0 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Relatively High
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Relatively Moderate
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Very Low
Lightning
Very High
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
No Rating
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Hurricane History
21 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 5.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2024
Helene
Category 4
138 mph
125 km
2024
Milton
Category 3
121 mph
222 km
2024
Debby
Category 1
81 mph
96 km
2023
Idalia
Category 4
132 mph
107 km
2022
Ian
Category 3
115 mph
247 km
2020
Isaias
Category 1
75 mph
299 km
2019
Dorian
Category 3
115 mph
261 km
2018
Michael
Category 5
161 mph
271 km
2017
Irma
Category 1
75 mph
185 km
2016
Matthew
Category 4
127 mph
165 km
2016
Hermine
Category 1
81 mph
162 km
2004
Jeanne
Category 3
121 mph
209 km
2004
Frances
Category 2
104 mph
276 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
86 mph
143 km
2000
Gordon
Category 1
75 mph
247 km
1999
Irene
Category 1
75 mph
251 km
1995
Erin
Category 1
86 mph
252 km
1985
Elena
Category 3
127 mph
179 km
1985
Kate
Category 2
98 mph
211 km
1985
Bob
Category 1
75 mph
197 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
440 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 10 fatalities, 176 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Feb 27, 1984
EF3
77 km
7.0 mi
0
Dec 31, 1975
EF3
89 km
2.0 mi
1
Feb 7, 1971
EF3
82 km
13.1 mi
0
Feb 25, 1960
EF3
45 km
0.8 mi
0
Mar 7, 2008
EF2
45 km
1.5 mi
1
Apr 15, 2007
EF2
77 km
1.5 mi
0
Dec 25, 2006
EF2
29 km
2.7 mi
0
Aug 12, 2004
EF2
90 km
7.0 mi
0
Mar 29, 2001
EF2
97 km
22.0 mi
0
Mar 29, 2001
EF2
63 km
12.0 mi
0
Mar 13, 2001
EF2
82 km
3.5 mi
0
Sep 29, 1998
EF2
84 km
2.0 mi
0
Sep 3, 1998
EF2
98 km
4.5 mi
0
Feb 2, 1996
EF2
84 km
6.0 mi
0
Apr 24, 1995
EF2
69 km
10.0 mi
0
Jan 7, 1995
EF2
98 km
12.0 mi
1
Mar 12, 1993
EF2
87 km
15.0 mi
0
Mar 12, 1993
EF2
60 km
1.0 mi
3
Mar 14, 1986
EF2
24 km
2.0 mi
0
Feb 27, 1984
EF2
38 km
3.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: BIG TURNAROUND COMPLEX (328,827 acres, 2007).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2007
BIG TURNAROUND COMPLEX
328,827
83 km
2017
WEST MIMS
166,737
90 km
2011
HONEY PRAIRIE
147,065
94 km
2002
BLACKJACK BAY COMPLEX
107,076
93 km
1999
FRIENDLY
75,089
77 km
2001
UNNAMED
59,179
64 km
2012
COUNTY LINE
35,440
74 km
2004
IMPASSABLE ONE
29,836
64 km
1998
OAK
21,478
53 km
1990
SHORTS
21,413
95 km
2004
UNNAMED
18,577
55 km
1998
UNNAMED
16,594
73 km
1989
PIN HOOK
16,471
72 km
2014
UNNAMED
14,543
53 km
1998
UNNAMED
13,873
34 km
2007
UNNAMED
13,806
27 km
2006
JUNIPER
11,998
98 km
2011
IMPASSABLE BAY
11,889
63 km
2020
CPT 3 ALBERT/CPT 119 HANCOCK
10,724
65 km
2009
JUNIPER SPRINGS
8,363
97 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
55°F (13°C)
3.8 in
Coldest
February
57°F (14°C)
4.0 in
March
63°F (17°C)
4.1 in
April
68°F (20°C)
2.7 in
May
74°F (23°C)
3.7 in
June
79°F (26°C)
6.7 in
July
81°F (27°C)
7.0 in
Warmest
August
81°F (27°C)
8.1 in
Wettest
September
78°F (26°C)
5.0 in
October
70°F (21°C)
2.2 in
Driest
November
63°F (17°C)
2.4 in
December
56°F (13°C)
3.0 in
La Crosse has a seasonal temperature swing of 26°F / from 55°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 52.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (8.1") and October the driest (2.2").