Climate Overview
The climate in La Crosse is cool. The average annual temperature is 10°C and approximately 989mm of precipitation falls per year. September is the wettest month, receiving around 155mm of rainfall. La Crosse is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: July, June, August. The coldest months are January, December, February, when temperatures can drop to -11°C. Snowfall occurs from January to December, with around 149cm accumulating over the season.
Temperature
La Crosse has a wide annual temperature range, spanning 39°C from the coldest to warmest months. The warmest month is July, when average highs reach 28°C and the mean temperature sits around 23°C. The coldest month is January, when overnight lows fall to -11°C and the daily average is -7°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 9°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between November and December, with a 13°C shift in average temperatures.
Precipitation
La Crosse is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 989mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 82mm per month. The wettest month is September, averaging 155mm of rainfall. March and July also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is February, with just 23mm. That's 132mm less than September, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic. Snowfall is a regular feature from January to December, with around 149cm accumulating over the season. March typically sees the most snow at around 46cm.
Wind
La Crosse is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 3km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is December, averaging 4km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in August, with average winds dropping to 3km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 1km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months.
Seasons
52 days until Autumn
It is currently summer in La Crosse, which began on June 21, 2026. La Crosse is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in July at around 28°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near -11°C. Autumn is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 52 days from now.
Spring
Temperatures range from 1 to 22°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 266mm for the season, averaging 89mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 3km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.
Summer
Temperatures range from 17 to 28°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 322mm across the season with a monthly average of 107mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 3km/h. Light, breathable clothing is ideal — perfect conditions for outdoor activities.
Autumn
Temperatures range from 3 to 23°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 287mm for the season, averaging 96mm per month. Expect around 12cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 3km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.
Winter
Temperatures range from -11 to 0°C. Rainfall is relatively light, with around 113mm over the season and a monthly average of 38mm. Expect around 88cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 4km/h. Heavy layering and insulated outerwear are essential — exposed skin should be minimised outdoors.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit La Crosse is during May and August, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 19°C with modest rainfall averaging 87mm per month. By contrast, July can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 28°C, while January is the coldest period with lows dropping to -11°C. Despite being the best months overall, some rain is still likely — pack a waterproof layer and plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.
Monthly Climate Data
The table below shows monthly climate averages for La Crosse based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.
