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Weather & Climate in Wauwatosa, WI

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

Wauwatosa experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 33.8 inches. The area receives 39.5 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 696 feet.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.3°F
11% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Geography

Elevation696 ft (212 m)
Area13.2 sq mi (34.3 km²)
Population Density3,607/sq mi
Coordinates43.0632°N, 88.0356°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyWaukesha County County
Nearest AirportGeneral Mitchell International (MKE)
11 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 33.8"
11% below US avg
Snowfall 39.5"
Wettest Month (Aug) 3.86"
Driest Month (Feb) 1.14"

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score88.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience97.4 / 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 M3.8 127 km 10 km
Nov 4, 2013 1 km SSW of Lyons, Illinois M3.2 142 km 1 km
Mar 25, 2015 3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois M2.9 101 km 6 km
Jun 10, 2013 4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois M2.6 126 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

358 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 15 fatalities, 558 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jul 18, 1996 EF5 85 km 13.3 mi 0
Apr 27, 1984 EF4 29 km 6.5 mi 1
Apr 4, 1981 EF4 43 km 1.8 mi 3
Apr 21, 1974 EF4 100 km 26.0 mi 0
Sep 28, 1972 EF4 88 km 5.2 mi 0
Apr 11, 1965 EF4 98 km 9.1 mi 6
Aug 22, 1964 EF4 37 km 2.2 mi 0
Jan 7, 2008 EF3 99 km 13.2 mi 0
Jan 7, 2008 EF3 62 km 10.8 mi 0
Jun 5, 1980 EF3 60 km 10.7 mi 0
Apr 7, 1980 EF3 89 km 1.2 mi 0
Jun 4, 1975 EF3 99 km 2.3 mi 0
Apr 21, 1974 EF3 79 km 22.2 mi 0
Apr 21, 1974 EF3 76 km 58.6 mi 2
Jul 19, 1963 EF3 57 km 10.6 mi 0
Jun 22, 2024 EF2 100 km 6.0 mi 0
Aug 28, 2018 EF2 73 km 3.9 mi 0
Jul 22, 2010 EF2 26 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 21, 2010 EF2 44 km 5.2 mi 0
Jun 1, 2000 EF2 61 km 17.0 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 70 km
2010 RX BURN 1,236 69 km
1994 SOMMERS 938 76 km
1988 PEACHY RD 812 74 km
2024 IBSP SOUTH F1 RX 690 75 km
2006 UNNAMED 612 78 km
2007 TOWER RD 2 592 74 km
2024 RX-HWY Y - SOUTH 553 59 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 22°F (-6°C) 1.4 in Coldest
February 24°F (-5°C) 1.1 in Driest
March 34°F (1°C) 2.1 in
April 45°F (7°C) 3.2 in
May 57°F (14°C) 2.9 in
June 66°F (19°C) 3.6 in
July 73°F (23°C) 3.7 in Warmest
August 70°F (21°C) 3.9 in Wettest
September 62°F (17°C) 3.8 in
October 50°F (10°C) 2.4 in
November 37°F (3°C) 2.4 in
December 25°F (-4°C) 1.9 in

Wauwatosa has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 22°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.4 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (1.1").

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