Wisconsin Climate

Wisconsin's climate is diverse due to its location in the Midwest, which is subject to both warm and cold currents of air from the North and South. Summers tend to be warm and humid while winters can be bitterly cold with frequent snowfall. The state receives an average of 35 inches of precipitation annually. Spring and autumn are transitional seasons that offer pleasant temperatures but can also bring severe thunderstorms. Despite being known for its cold weather, Wisconsin actually enjoys more sunny days than most other states in the US!

Wisconsin, Wisconsin gets 34 inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is 38 inches of rain per year.

Wisconsin averages 48 inches of snow per year. The US average is 28 inches of snow per year.

On average, there are 188 sunny days per year in Wisconsin. The US average is 205 sunny days.

Wisconsin gets some kind of precipitation, on average, 113 days per year. Precipitation is rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground. In order for precipitation to be counted you have to get at least .01 inches on the ground to measure.

Weather Highlights

Summer High: the July high is around 81 degrees
Winter Low: the January low is 7
Rain: averages 34 inches of rain a year
Snow: averages 48 inches of snow a year

Bestplaces Comfort Index

Wisconsin's annual BestPlaces Comfort Index of 6.5 (10=best) indicates it is less comfortable than most states in the United States.

9.2 Summer - 3.9 Winter

August, July and June are the most pleasant months in the state of Wisconsin, while January and December are the least comfortable months.

Climate	Wisconsin, Wisconsin	United States
	Unlock	38.1 in.
	47.6 in.	Unlock
	Unlock	106.2 days
	188 days	Unlock
	81.0°	85.8°
	Unlock	21.7°
	6.5	Unlock
	Unlock	4.3
	1031 ft.	Unlock

Climate

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Many people confuse weather and climate but they are different. Weather is the conditions of the atmosphere over a short period of time, and climate is how the atmosphere is over long periods of time.

Weather is how the atmosphere is behaving and its effects upon life and human activities. Weather can change from minute-to-minute. Most people think of weather in terms of temperature, humidity, precipitation, cloudiness, brightness, visibility, wind, and atmospheric pressure.

Climate is the description of the long-term pattern of weather in a place. Climate can mean the average weather for a particular region and time period taken over 30 years. Climate is the average of weather over time.

July is the hottest month for Wisconsin with an average high temperature of 81.0°, which ranks it as one of the coolest states. In Wisconsin, there are 4 comfortable months with high temperatures in the range of 70-85°. The most pleasant months of the year for Wisconsin are August, June and July.

Wisconsin has 5.4 days annually when the high temperature is over 90°, which is cooler than most states in the U.S.

January has the coldest nighttime temperatures for Wisconsin with an average of 7.1°. This is colder than most of the U.S. states.

Wisconsin has 160.5 days annually when the nighttime low temperature falls below freezing, which is colder than most states in the U.S.

Wisconsin averages 24.1 days annually when the nighttime low temperature falls below freezing, which is one of the coldest states in the U.S.

Humidity in the state of Wisconsin is generally low and comfortable. But there some days when the humidity becomes unpleasant, especially in July and August. The most humid months (but still comfortable) are July, August and June.

June is the wettest month in Wisconsin with 4.3 inches of rain, and the driest month is February with 1.1 inches. The wettest season is Autumn with 37% of yearly precipitation and 11% occurs in Spring, which is the driest season. Wisconsin's average annual rainfall of 33.5 inches indicates that it is drier than most states in the United States.

May is the rainiest month in Wisconsin with 11.3 days of rain, and February is the driest month with only 6.9 rainy days. Wisconsin's annual average of 113.1 days with measurable rain is about average compared to other states in the United States. The rainiest season is Autumn when it rains 27% of the time and the driest is Spring with only a 21% chance of a rainy day.

Wisconsin's average annual snowfall of 47.6 inches indicates that it is snowier than most states in the United States. January is the snowiest month in Wisconsin with 11.9 inches of snow, and 7 months of the year have significant snowfall.

Reviews for Wisconsin

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Dave · Sussex, WI

Village of Sussex

Over 10 years ago

The village is a very nice place to live,although it could be expensive depending on where you live.It has a nice family atmosphere. You're only three phone calls away More

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Francis · Oconomowoc, WI

Recreation

Over 11 years ago

There are many options for recreation in all 4 More

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gerri · La Crosse, WI

why i like wisconsin, why i don't like wisconsin

Over 12 years ago

wisconsin to me is a very friendly state. actually people are a little too friendly most of the time..... they kind of get in your business a little too much for my More