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Weather & Climate in Wales, WI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Wales experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 20°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 36.0 inches. The area receives 36.9 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 1,046 feet.
Temperature
20°F Jan (-7°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 46.6°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 20°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 260 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,046 ft (319 m) |
| Area | 3.3 sq mi (8.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 902/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.0058°N, 88.3704°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Waukesha County County |
| Nearest Airport | General Mitchell International (MKE) 24 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 88.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 97.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively 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 | 116 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 | 91 km | 6 km |
| Jun 10, 2013 | 4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois | M2.6 | 114 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
475 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 46 fatalities, 1,203 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 18, 1996 | EF5 | 80 km | 13.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1984 | EF4 | 3 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Apr 4, 1981 | EF4 | 49 km | 1.8 mi | 3 |
| Apr 21, 1974 | EF4 | 91 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1972 | EF4 | 91 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF4 | 96 km | 8.8 mi | 1 |
| Apr 21, 1967 | EF4 | 98 km | 25.5 mi | 24 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | EF4 | 87 km | 9.1 mi | 6 |
| Aug 22, 1964 | EF4 | 55 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 26, 1951 | EF4 | 88 km | 9.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF3 | 97 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 7, 2008 | EF3 | 51 km | 10.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 7, 2008 | EF3 | 78 km | 13.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 18, 2005 | EF3 | 87 km | 18.6 mi | 1 |
| Jun 23, 2004 | EF3 | 96 km | 33.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2004 | EF3 | 88 km | 7.6 mi | 1 |
| Jun 17, 1992 | EF3 | 95 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1984 | EF3 | 85 km | 29.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1980 | EF3 | 35 km | 10.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 1980 | EF3 | 72 km | 1.2 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 | 61 km |
| 2010 | RX BURN | 1,236 | 61 km |
| 1994 | SOMMERS | 938 | 67 km |
| 1988 | PEACHY RD | 812 | 64 km |
| 2024 | IBSP SOUTH F1 RX | 690 | 81 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 612 | 69 km |
| 2007 | TOWER RD 2 | 592 | 64 km |
| 2024 | RX-HWY Y - SOUTH | 553 | 31 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°F (-7°C) | 1.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 22°F (-5°C) | 1.1 in | Driest |
| March | 33°F (1°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 3.1 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 3.0 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 2.4 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.8 in |
Wales has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 20°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.0") and February the driest (1.1").