Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
La Crosse experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 275 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 39.5 inches. The area receives 33.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 676 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
49.4°F
9% below US avg
January Average
23°F (-5°C)
July Average
72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
676 ft (206 m)
Area
0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density
1,123/sq mi
Coordinates
41.3178°N, 86.8898°W
Timezone
America/Indiana/Indianapolis
County
Starke County County
Nearest Airport
Porter County Regional (VPZ) 11 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall39.5"
4% above US avg
Snowfall33.6"
Wettest Month (Jun)4.41"
Driest Month (Feb)1.54"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
24.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability
41.3 / 100
Community Resilience
73.5 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Very Low
Drought
No Rating
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.2.
Nov 4, 2013
1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois
M3.2
95 km
1 km
Dec 17, 1990
Illinois-Indiana border region
M3.2
140 km
10 km
Jan 26, 2012
5 km NE of Topeka, Indiana
M3.0
120 km
5 km
Mar 15, 2025
6 km W of Dwight, Illinois
M2.6
137 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
554 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 137 fatalities, 1,929 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 26, 1994
EF4
93 km
14.0 mi
3
Mar 20, 1976
EF4
95 km
16.7 mi
0
Apr 3, 1974
EF4
93 km
108.7 mi
18
Apr 21, 1967
EF4
88 km
15.0 mi
33
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
65 km
37.0 mi
36
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
72 km
21.2 mi
31
May 27, 2019
EF3
74 km
13.7 mi
0
Jun 5, 2010
EF3
96 km
7.5 mi
0
Jun 5, 2010
EF3
78 km
7.8 mi
0
Oct 18, 2007
EF3
60 km
20.3 mi
0
May 30, 2004
EF3
91 km
4.5 mi
0
Oct 24, 2001
EF3
51 km
47.0 mi
1
Apr 2, 1982
EF3
96 km
12.0 mi
0
Jun 25, 1978
EF3
99 km
27.4 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
43 km
12.6 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
21 km
12.1 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
77 km
38.5 mi
1
Jun 20, 1974
EF3
45 km
4.5 mi
0
Oct 24, 1967
EF3
38 km
0.1 mi
0
Nov 26, 1965
EF3
54 km
1.0 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
43 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
8 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (1,602 acres, 2000).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2000
UNNAMED
1,602
68 km
2021
NORTHEAST PRAIRIE UNIT 3
978
96 km
2024
NORTHEAST PRAIRIE 3 RX
938
96 km
1986
OGDEN DUNS
863
42 km
2021
UNNAMED
738
97 km
2019
UNNAMED
698
96 km
2021
21-INDU TOLLESTON DUNES EAST
594
42 km
2017
17 INDU COWLES DUNES
522
41 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
23°F (-5°C)
1.9 in
Coldest
February
27°F (-3°C)
1.5 in
Driest
March
38°F (3°C)
2.8 in
April
49°F (10°C)
3.7 in
May
61°F (16°C)
3.8 in
June
70°F (21°C)
4.4 in
Wettest
July
72°F (22°C)
4.0 in
Warmest
August
71°F (22°C)
3.7 in
September
64°F (18°C)
3.6 in
October
53°F (11°C)
2.8 in
November
40°F (5°C)
3.0 in
December
28°F (-2°C)
2.6 in
La Crosse has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 23°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.4") and February the driest (1.5").