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Weather & Climate in Milwaukee, WI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Milwaukee experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 269 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 37.0 inches. The area receives 43.5 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. 69% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 725 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 49.9°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 269 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 725 ft (221 m) |
| Area | 96.8 sq mi (250.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 5,924/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.0633°N, 87.9667°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Ozaukee County County |
| Nearest Airport | General Mitchell International (MKE) 9 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 68.6% |
| Unhealthy Days | 6 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 50.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 100.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | 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: M3.8.
| Feb 10, 2010 | 2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois | M3.8 | 129 km | 10 km |
| Nov 4, 2013 | 1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois | M3.2 | 141 km | 1 km |
| Mar 25, 2015 | 3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois | M2.9 | 103 km | 6 km |
| Jun 10, 2013 | 4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois | M2.6 | 127 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
338 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 15 fatalities, 518 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 18, 1996 | EF5 | 88 km | 13.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1984 | EF4 | 34 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Apr 4, 1981 | EF4 | 45 km | 1.8 mi | 3 |
| Sep 28, 1972 | EF4 | 88 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 100 km | 9.1 mi | 6 |
| Aug 22, 1964 | EF4 | 35 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jan 7, 2008 | EF3 | 64 km | 10.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1980 | EF3 | 66 km | 10.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 1980 | EF3 | 94 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1974 | EF3 | 83 km | 22.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1974 | EF3 | 80 km | 58.6 mi | 2 |
| Jul 19, 1963 | EF3 | 59 km | 10.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 2018 | EF2 | 76 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 2010 | EF2 | 29 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2010 | EF2 | 49 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 2000 | EF2 | 66 km | 17.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1997 | EF2 | 72 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1996 | EF2 | 69 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF2 | 89 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1986 | EF2 | 66 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
8 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,524 acres, 2006).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,524 | 73 km |
| 2010 | RX BURN | 1,236 | 73 km |
| 1994 | SOMMERS | 938 | 80 km |
| 1988 | PEACHY RD | 812 | 78 km |
| 2024 | IBSP SOUTH F1 RX | 690 | 74 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 612 | 82 km |
| 2007 | TOWER RD 2 | 592 | 78 km |
| 2024 | RX-HWY Y - SOUTH | 553 | 64 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.5 in | |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.2 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 35°F (1°C) | 2.1 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 3.3 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 2.9 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 3.8 in | Wettest |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 2.3 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 2.3 in | |
| December | 26°F (-4°C) | 1.9 in |
Milwaukee has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 25°F in February to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 31.9 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.8") and February the driest (1.2").