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Weather & Climate in La Crosse, WI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
La Crosse experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 37.5 inches. The area receives 54.2 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. 96% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 633 feet.
Temperature
16°F Jan (-9°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 45.6°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 16°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 260 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 633 ft (193 m) |
| Area | 22.5 sq mi (58.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,386/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.8247°N, 91.2246°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | La Crosse County County |
| Nearest Airport | La Crosse Regional (LSE) 4 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 96.1% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
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
302 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 6 fatalities, 193 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 16, 1962 | EF4 | 100 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1957 | EF4 | 84 km | 21.1 mi | 1 |
| Aug 7, 2021 | EF3 | 87 km | 9.4 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1998 | EF3 | 96 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 27, 1994 | EF3 | 93 km | 10.0 mi | 2 |
| Jul 3, 1983 | EF3 | 85 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1980 | EF3 | 17 km | 26.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 1971 | EF3 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 1 |
| May 5, 1965 | EF3 | 74 km | 65.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1964 | EF3 | 84 km | 17.1 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1959 | EF3 | 25 km | 34.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1957 | EF3 | 65 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1953 | EF3 | 98 km | 6.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 2022 | EF2 | 57 km | 22.9 mi | 0 |
| Dec 15, 2021 | EF2 | 85 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Dec 15, 2021 | EF2 | 83 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2011 | EF2 | 58 km | 64.5 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2011 | EF2 | 21 km | 13.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 18, 2005 | EF2 | 50 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 1999 | EF2 | 58 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 | 92 km |
| 1994 | BIG BURN | 2,248 | 92 km |
| 1997 | BIG BURN | 1,642 | 92 km |
| 2004 | POOL ONE NORTH | 1,576 | 89 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 1,297 | 93 km |
| 2007 | BEAVER CUTOFF | 982 | 71 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 981 | 87 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 901 | 90 km |
| 1998 | PR 17 | 896 | 89 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 875 | 91 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 867 | 88 km |
| 2007 | PR 16 | 778 | 91 km |
| 2006 | PR 17 RX FIRE | 701 | 93 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 657 | 89 km |
| 2003 | PR 17 | 632 | 93 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 589 | 89 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 580 | 91 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 580 | 87 km |
| 2003 | OS 23 | 571 | 89 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 569 | 89 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°F (-9°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.9 in | Driest |
| March | 33°F (1°C) | 1.9 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3.3 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 4.0 in | Wettest |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 2.2 in | |
| November | 35°F (2°C) | 1.9 in | |
| December | 21°F (-6°C) | 1.4 in |
La Crosse has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 16°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.0") and February the driest (0.9").