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Weather & Climate in Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Wisconsin Rapids has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 15°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 33.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 997 feet.
Temperature
15°F Jan (-10°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 43.8°F |
| 19% below US avg | |
| January Average | 15°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 270 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 997 ft (304 m) |
| Area | 5.7 sq mi (14.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,349/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.3929°N, 89.8267°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Portage County County |
| Nearest Airport | Appleton International (ATW) 65 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 62.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 85.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| 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 Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very 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 | 142 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
353 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 23 fatalities, 288 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 1984 | EF4 | 93 km | 27.5 mi | 1 |
| Aug 31, 1977 | EF4 | 48 km | 31.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1957 | EF4 | 65 km | 21.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1956 | EF4 | 86 km | 11.5 mi | 7 |
| Sep 26, 1951 | EF4 | 43 km | 26.4 mi | 6 |
| Apr 10, 2011 | EF3 | 80 km | 21.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2007 | EF3 | 95 km | 40.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2004 | EF3 | 98 km | 33.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 27, 1994 | EF3 | 33 km | 10.5 mi | 2 |
| Aug 29, 1992 | EF3 | 43 km | 28.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 1984 | EF3 | 74 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1983 | EF3 | 47 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1971 | EF3 | 75 km | 78.4 mi | 0 |
| Dec 1, 1970 | EF3 | 94 km | 13.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1957 | EF3 | 88 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1950 | EF3 | 86 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 2022 | EF2 | 78 km | 22.9 mi | 0 |
| Dec 15, 2021 | EF2 | 74 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Dec 15, 2021 | EF2 | 64 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 15, 2021 | EF2 | 79 km | 3.1 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 | 33 km |
| 1987 | BIG BURN | 3,154 | 38 km |
| 2024 | 2024 DOD HARDWOOD RANGE RX | 2,717 | 27 km |
| 1994 | BIG BURN | 2,248 | 38 km |
| 2023 | 2023 RX | 1,992 | 27 km |
| 1997 | BIG BURN | 1,642 | 38 km |
| 2004 | POOL ONE NORTH | 1,576 | 45 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 1,297 | 37 km |
| 2021 | 2021 DOD HARDWOOD RANGE RX | 987 | 28 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 981 | 46 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 901 | 40 km |
| 1998 | PR 17 | 896 | 45 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 875 | 44 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 867 | 46 km |
| 2007 | PR 16 | 778 | 38 km |
| 2006 | PR 17 RX FIRE | 701 | 37 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 657 | 43 km |
| 2003 | PR 17 | 632 | 37 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 589 | 41 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 580 | 37 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15°F (-10°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.9 in | Driest |
| March | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.0 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 2.8 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 3.7 in | |
| June | 65°F (19°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| October | 47°F (9°C) | 2.5 in | |
| November | 33°F (0°C) | 2.0 in | |
| December | 19°F (-7°C) | 1.4 in |
Wisconsin Rapids has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 15°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.0 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (0.9").