Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
La Crosse experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 326 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 26.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 14.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 2,058 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-1°C)78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average
53.5°F
1% below US avg
January Average
29°F (-1°C)
July Average
78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days
326 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
2,058 ft (627 m)
Area
1.1 sq mi (2.7 km²)
Population Density
1,039/sq mi
Coordinates
38.5318°N, 99.3095°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Rush County County
Nearest Airport
Hays Regional (HYS) 22 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall26.5"
30% below US avg
Snowfall14.1"
Wettest Month (Jun)3.66"
Driest Month (Jan)0.43"
Air Quality
AQI Median
39.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
5.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability
10.6 / 100
Community Resilience
80.4 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
No Rating
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Very Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
108 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.6.
Jun 22, 2019
2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas
M4.6
77 km
3 km
Jan 19, 2020
2 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas
M4.5
130 km
5 km
Aug 16, 2019
3 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas
M4.2
129 km
5 km
Aug 18, 2019
5 km WSW of South Hutchinson, Kansas
M4.1
128 km
5 km
May 23, 2015
6 km NNW of Sun City, Kansas
M4.0
127 km
5 km
May 31, 2019
2 km SSE of Zurich, Kansas
M3.5
77 km
5 km
May 30, 1991
5 km SE of Zurich, Kansas
M3.5
75 km
5 km
Jun 1, 2025
9 km S of Hill City, Kansas
M3.5
95 km
11 km
Jun 25, 2025
10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas
M3.4
109 km
13 km
Sep 18, 2015
11 km NNW of Sun City, Kansas
M3.4
122 km
5 km
Mar 8, 2018
2 km WSW of Hutchinson, Kansas
M3.4
130 km
11 km
May 23, 2015
8 km NNW of Sun City, Kansas
M3.3
125 km
5 km
Jul 15, 1992
19 km WNW of Schoenchen, Kansas
M3.3
33 km
5 km
Sep 16, 2016
8 km N of Ellis, Kansas
M3.3
58 km
5 km
Sep 14, 2016
10 km N of Ellis, Kansas
M3.3
60 km
5 km
May 24, 2023
12 km S of Alton, Kansas
M3.2
97 km
7 km
Mar 13, 2025
0 km SE of Glen Elder, Kansas
M3.2
138 km
5 km
Sep 19, 2016
8 km N of Ellis, Kansas
M3.2
58 km
3 km
Apr 14, 2018
4 km W of South Hutchinson, Kansas
M3.2
128 km
5 km
Sep 16, 2016
8 km NNW of Ellis, Kansas
M3.1
59 km
9 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
805 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 12 fatalities, 198 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 18, 2013
EF4
46 km
7.0 mi
0
Apr 14, 2012
EF4
93 km
50.3 mi
0
May 23, 2008
EF4
96 km
11.4 mi
0
Apr 21, 2001
EF4
46 km
5.0 mi
1
May 7, 1993
EF4
80 km
25.5 mi
1
May 10, 1985
EF4
99 km
33.0 mi
0
Apr 30, 1972
EF4
85 km
26.6 mi
0
Jun 27, 1951
EF4
74 km
0.8 mi
5
May 4, 1950
EF4
58 km
34.3 mi
0
May 16, 2017
EF3
45 km
26.6 mi
0
May 24, 2016
EF3
74 km
7.7 mi
0
May 24, 2016
EF3
82 km
11.0 mi
0
May 24, 2016
EF3
74 km
8.3 mi
0
May 24, 2016
EF3
99 km
1.9 mi
0
Apr 14, 2012
EF3
75 km
39.7 mi
0
May 23, 2008
EF3
90 km
18.2 mi
0
May 23, 2008
EF3
50 km
9.0 mi
0
May 4, 2007
EF3
96 km
18.2 mi
1
May 4, 2007
EF3
77 km
17.4 mi
1
Mar 28, 2007
EF3
83 km
29.1 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: FOUR COUNTY (122,971 acres, 2021).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2021
FOUR COUNTY
122,971
65 km
2022
NESS/ELLIS COUNTY
14,699
31 km
2022
GARFIELD
8,650
50 km
2017
HODGEMAN COUNTY
8,518
64 km
2008
UNNAMED
6,406
88 km
1989
UNNAMED
6,328
59 km
2006
UNNAMED
5,494
61 km
2011
JORDEN SPRINGS
5,488
93 km
2008
UNNAMED
5,168
93 km
1996
UNNAMED
4,972
33 km
1989
UNNAMED
4,558
93 km
2021
BOILING SPRINGS
4,299
83 km
1989
SLEEPER
4,269
80 km
2017
GORHAM
4,054
51 km
2006
HODGEMAN WEST
4,051
86 km
2010
BIG SALT MARSH
3,960
80 km
1991
ROAD 484
3,626
80 km
2010
UNNAMED
3,618
84 km
1998
EAST BG SALT
3,521
80 km
1991
UNNAMED
3,330
59 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
29°F (-1°C)
0.4 in
Coldest, Driest
February
34°F (1°C)
0.6 in
March
43°F (6°C)
1.8 in
April
53°F (12°C)
2.1 in
May
63°F (17°C)
3.2 in
June
74°F (23°C)
3.7 in
Wettest
July
78°F (26°C)
3.4 in
Warmest
August
78°F (25°C)
2.7 in
September
69°F (20°C)
2.2 in
October
57°F (14°C)
1.5 in
November
42°F (5°C)
1.0 in
December
33°F (0°C)
0.6 in
La Crosse has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 29°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.7") and January the driest (0.4").