Weather & Climate in Watertown, WI

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

Watertown experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 18°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 37.3 inches. The area receives 37.0 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 820 feet.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	46.4°F
	14% below US avg
January Average	18°F (-8°C)
July Average	71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	260 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	820 ft (250 m)
Area	12.5 sq mi (32.4 km²)
Population Density	1,895/sq mi
Coordinates	43.1894°N, 88.7289°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Jefferson County County
Nearest Airport	Dane County Regional/Truax Field (MSN) 31 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 37.3"

2% below US avg

Snowfall 37.0"

Wettest Month (Jul) 3.98"

Driest Month (Feb) 1.14"

Air Quality

AQI Median	38.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	75.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	19.8 / 100
Community Resilience	92.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

3 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	137 km	10 km
Mar 25, 2015	3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois	M2.9	115 km	6 km
Jun 10, 2013	4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois	M2.6	135 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

566 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 24 fatalities, 680 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 18, 1996	EF5	58 km	13.3 mi	0
Apr 27, 1984	EF4	37 km	6.5 mi	1
Apr 27, 1984	EF4	99 km	27.5 mi	1
Apr 4, 1981	EF4	51 km	1.8 mi	3
Apr 21, 1974	EF4	63 km	26.0 mi	0
Aug 22, 1964	EF4	69 km	2.2 mi	0
Apr 3, 1956	EF4	85 km	11.5 mi	7
Sep 26, 1951	EF4	52 km	9.0 mi	1
Jun 16, 2014	EF3	70 km	1.0 mi	0
Jan 7, 2008	EF3	89 km	13.2 mi	0
Jan 7, 2008	EF3	78 km	10.8 mi	0
Aug 18, 2005	EF3	64 km	18.6 mi	1
Jun 23, 2004	EF3	56 km	7.6 mi	1
Jun 23, 2004	EF3	64 km	33.3 mi	0
Jun 17, 1992	EF3	74 km	16.0 mi	0
Jun 8, 1984	EF3	50 km	29.0 mi	0
Jun 5, 1980	EF3	7 km	10.7 mi	0
Apr 7, 1980	EF3	38 km	1.2 mi	0
Jun 5, 1977	EF3	70 km	69.5 mi	0
Jun 4, 1975	EF3	41 km	2.3 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

10 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,524 acres, 2006).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2006	UNNAMED	1,524	38 km
2010	RX BURN	1,236	38 km
1994	SOMMERS	938	42 km
1988	PEACHY RD	812	39 km
2018	2018 BADGER RX BURNS	659	85 km
2019	2019 BADGER RX BURNS	627	84 km
2006	UNNAMED	612	44 km
2007	TOWER RD 2	592	39 km
2024	RX-HWY Y - SOUTH	553	25 km
2009	COLD SPRINGS	552	93 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	18°F (-8°C)	1.2 in	Coldest
February	22°F (-6°C)	1.1 in	Driest
March	34°F (1°C)	2.1 in
April	46°F (8°C)	3.1 in
May	58°F (15°C)	3.1 in
June	67°F (20°C)	3.9 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)	2.3 in
December	23°F (-5°C)	1.7 in

Watertown has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 18°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").

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