Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Waupaca has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 270 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 33.8 inches. The area receives 49.3 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 842 feet.
Temperature
16°F Jan (-9°C)70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average
44.8°F
17% below US avg
January Average
16°F (-9°C)
July Average
70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days
270 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
842 ft (257 m)
Area
8.1 sq mi (21.0 km²)
Population Density
797/sq mi
Coordinates
44.3500°N, 89.0700°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Waushara County County
Nearest Airport
Appleton International (ATW) 28 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall33.8"
11% below US avg
Snowfall49.3"
Wettest Month (Sep)3.94"
Driest Month (Feb)0.98"
Air Quality
AQI Median
38.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
43.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability
33.3 / 100
Community Resilience
50.2 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Very Low
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M2.5.
Jan 7, 2024
3 km NE of Mole Lake, Wisconsin
M2.5
129 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
436 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 25 fatalities, 355 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jul 18, 1996
EF5
81 km
13.3 mi
0
Jul 5, 1994
EF4
100 km
3.5 mi
0
Apr 27, 1984
EF4
39 km
27.5 mi
1
Aug 31, 1977
EF4
95 km
31.8 mi
0
Apr 21, 1974
EF4
69 km
26.0 mi
0
Apr 3, 1956
EF4
47 km
11.5 mi
7
Sep 26, 1951
EF4
18 km
26.4 mi
6
Sep 26, 1951
EF4
99 km
9.0 mi
1
Jun 7, 2007
EF3
74 km
40.0 mi
0
Jun 23, 2004
EF3
76 km
7.6 mi
1
Jun 23, 2004
EF3
70 km
33.3 mi
0
Aug 27, 1994
EF3
73 km
10.5 mi
2
Aug 29, 1992
EF3
48 km
28.0 mi
1
Apr 27, 1984
EF3
23 km
32.0 mi
0
Jul 3, 1983
EF3
97 km
1.0 mi
0
Apr 7, 1980
EF3
97 km
1.2 mi
0
Jun 5, 1977
EF3
65 km
69.5 mi
0
Apr 21, 1974
EF3
98 km
58.6 mi
2
Apr 21, 1974
EF3
93 km
22.2 mi
0
Sep 28, 1971
EF3
88 km
78.4 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: COTTONVILLE INCIDENT (3,466 acres, 2005).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2005
COTTONVILLE INCIDENT
3,466
60 km
1987
BIG BURN
3,154
91 km
2024
2024 DOD HARDWOOD RANGE RX
2,717
81 km
1994
BIG BURN
2,248
90 km
2023
2023 RX
1,992
82 km
1997
BIG BURN
1,642
91 km
2004
POOL ONE NORTH
1,576
92 km
2006
UNNAMED
1,524
99 km
1998
UNNAMED
1,297
90 km
2010
RX BURN
1,236
99 km
2021
2021 DOD HARDWOOD RANGE RX
987
83 km
2007
UNNAMED
981
95 km
1994
SOMMERS
938
93 km
2003
UNNAMED
901
93 km
1998
PR 17
896
92 km
2007
UNNAMED
875
91 km
2009
UNNAMED
867
94 km
1988
PEACHY RD
812
96 km
2007
PR 16
778
91 km
2006
PR 17 RX FIRE
701
89 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
16°F (-9°C)
1.1 in
Coldest
February
20°F (-7°C)
1.0 in
Driest
March
31°F (-1°C)
2.1 in
April
44°F (7°C)
2.8 in
May
57°F (14°C)
3.7 in
June
66°F (19°C)
3.6 in
July
70°F (21°C)
3.9 in
Warmest
August
68°F (20°C)
3.8 in
September
59°F (15°C)
3.9 in
Wettest
October
48°F (9°C)
2.4 in
November
33°F (1°C)
2.2 in
December
20°F (-7°C)
1.5 in
Waupaca has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 16°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.0 inches, with September being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (1.0").