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Weather & Climate in LaCrosse, WA

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

LaCrosse experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 273 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 15.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 17.1 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 28 / among the cleanest air in the country. The city sits at an elevation of 1,465 feet.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average50.1°F
7% below US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,465 ft (447 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density426/sq mi
Coordinates46.7955°N, 117.9178°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountyWhitman County County
Nearest AirportPullman/Moscow Regional (PUW)
38 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.1"
60% below US avg
Snowfall 17.1"
Wettest Month (Dec) 2.09"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median28.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score39.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability20.8 / 100
Community Resilience50.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

124 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.

Nov 28, 1991 7 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington M4.3 95 km 9 km
Jul 14, 1992 6 km S of Walla Walla East, Washington M4.1 94 km 11 km
Nov 11, 2001 3 km NE of Spokane, Washington M4.0 107 km 4 km
Jun 25, 2001 Washington M3.9 106 km 10 km
Jun 28, 1998 3 km SE of Genesee, Idaho M3.8 83 km 10 km
Sep 4, 2011 14 km N of Richland, Washington M3.7 111 km 2 km
May 18, 2008 11 km SSW of Benton City, Washington M3.7 143 km 20 km
Jan 23, 2015 3 km N of Cayuse, Oregon M3.5 130 km 20 km
Nov 6, 1997 22 km SE of Desert Aire, Washington M3.4 140 km 22 km
Oct 15, 2011 13 km N of Richland, Washington M3.4 111 km 1 km
Jun 17, 2004 11 km SSE of Washtucna, Washington M3.4 28 km 17 km
Jan 13, 1994 11 km SW of Lind, Washington M3.4 60 km 0 km
Jun 25, 2001 2 km SSE of Town and Country, Washington M3.4 108 km 10 km
May 27, 1997 15 km W of Othello, Washington M3.3 111 km 2 km
Apr 22, 1990 20 km SE of Desert Aire, Washington M3.3 141 km 21 km
Jun 12, 1995 13 km N of Richland, Washington M3.3 112 km 1 km
Dec 15, 1991 6 km SSW of Walla Walla East, Washington M3.3 95 km 8 km
May 11, 2001 4 km NNW of Moses Lake North, Washington M3.3 119 km 11 km
May 1, 2011 13 km N of Richland, Washington M3.3 111 km 2 km
Feb 28, 2004 10 km WSW of Wallula, Washington M3.3 120 km 1 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

33 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Aug 30, 1971 EF2 45 km 0.5 mi 0
Mar 14, 1966 EF2 34 km 1.0 mi 0
May 8, 1962 EF2 96 km 9.1 mi 0
May 6, 1957 EF2 94 km 1.5 mi 0
Jun 15, 1954 EF2 81 km 0.5 mi 0
Jan 16, 2000 EF1 53 km 1.0 mi 0
May 19, 1986 EF1 89 km 2.0 mi 0
Aug 10, 1985 EF1 87 km 1.0 mi 0
Oct 17, 1983 EF1 81 km 0.5 mi 0
Apr 23, 1983 EF1 88 km 3.0 mi 0
Jul 1, 1978 EF1 69 km 2.3 mi 0
May 2, 1973 EF1 70 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 20, 1969 EF1 91 km 1.0 mi 0
Apr 18, 2024 EF0 100 km 0.0 mi 0
Mar 26, 2024 EF0 98 km 0.0 mi 0
Jun 27, 2023 EF0 95 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 9, 2016 EF0 98 km 0.2 mi 0
Jul 22, 2016 EF0 100 km 0.2 mi 0
Oct 5, 2011 EF0 50 km 0.0 mi 0
May 21, 2004 EF0 95 km 0.2 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 19.8 m (65 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1949 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 19.8 m — 119 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 9.0 m — 113 km
2009 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY, WA Meteorological 3.6 m — 124 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COLUMBIA COMPLEX (118,865 acres, 2006).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2006 COLUMBIA COMPLEX 118,865 70 km
2021 LICK CREEK 80,376 75 km
2015 BUTTE CREEK 79,418 91 km
2005 SCHOOL 51,701 61 km
2021 GREEN RIDGE 44,604 74 km
2012 APACHE PASS 25,101 98 km
2005 WALKER CANYON 20,764 61 km
2010 EUREKA 19,811 61 km
2016 BLACK ROCK ROAD 17,398 98 km
2020 KAHLOTUS 16,738 60 km
2010 UNNAMED 16,737 45 km
2010 HUBBARD 10,824 47 km
2016 SNAKE RIVER FIRE 10,349 49 km
2023 GRAY 10,096 84 km
2016 KAHLOTUS 9,386 57 km
2016 FLETCHER ROAD 9,380 38 km
2014 WATERMELON HILL 9,321 62 km
2021 SILCOTT 8,864 75 km
2019 MATSON 8,717 80 km
2007 UNNAMED 8,547 82 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 32°F (0°C) 1.8 in
February 37°F (3°C) 1.5 in
March 43°F (6°C) 1.5 in
April 50°F (10°C) 1.1 in
May 57°F (14°C) 1.1 in
June 64°F (18°C) 0.9 in
July 71°F (22°C) 0.5 in Warmest, Driest
August 71°F (22°C) 0.6 in
September 62°F (16°C) 0.7 in
October 50°F (10°C) 1.0 in
November 39°F (4°C) 2.0 in
December 32°F (-0°C) 2.1 in Coldest, Wettest

LaCrosse has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 32°F in December to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.7 inches, with December being the wettest month (2.1") and July the driest (0.5").

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