What should you know about Wausau's weather?
- NWS office
- Green Bay (GRB)
- Climate
- Warm-summer humid continental
- Time zone
- CST/CDT
- Elevation
- 1,206 ft
- Coordinates
- 44.96° N, 89.63° W
- Nearest radar
- KGRB · Green Bay NEXRAD · 81 mi
- County
- Marathon County, WI
- Yearly rain
- 33.9 in
- Warmest month
- July · 69.5°F average
- Coldest month
- January · 14.8°F average
- Severe storm peak
- May to Jul
How much rain does Wausau get each month?
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 22.8 | 27.4 | 39.6 | 53.7 | 67.1 | 76.2 | 80.3 | 77.9 | 69.8 | 55.7 | 40.4 | 27.9 |
| Low °F | 6.7 | 9.5 | 20.6 | 32.4 | 44.6 | 54.5 | 58.7 | 56.9 | 48.6 | 37.0 | 25.2 | 13.5 |
| Rain (in) | 1.20 | 1.08 | 1.83 | 3.12 | 3.79 | 4.67 | 3.86 | 4.07 | 3.83 | 3.07 | 1.85 | 1.54 |
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 22.8 | 6.7 | 1.20 |
| Feb | 27.4 | 9.5 | 1.08 |
| Mar | 39.6 | 20.6 | 1.83 |
| Apr | 53.7 | 32.4 | 3.12 |
| May | 67.1 | 44.6 | 3.79 |
| Jun | 76.2 | 54.5 | 4.67 |
| Jul | 80.3 | 58.7 | 3.86 |
| Aug | 77.9 | 56.9 | 4.07 |
| Sep | 69.8 | 48.6 | 3.83 |
| Oct | 55.7 | 37.0 | 3.07 |
| Nov | 40.4 | 25.2 | 1.85 |
| Dec | 27.9 | 13.5 | 1.54 |
WAUSAU DWTN AP, WI US · 2 mi away · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020
What happened when the 1977 tornado hit Rib Mountain and Wausau?
On the evening of August 31, 1977, an F3 tornado cut a 27 mile path across Marathon County and into Wausau. In Rib Mountain, 15 homes were demolished and 30 others were severely damaged. The storm then moved into southwest Wausau, where it damaged a mill and lumber yard. Brief touchdowns followed at Grand Avenue and at Tenth and Manson Streets, and property damage was close to two million dollars.
How much warning did Wausau get before the Labor Day 2002 tornado?
About 28 minutes. NWS Green Bay issued a Tornado Warning at 6:07 PM, and an F1 tornado hit just north of Wausau at 6:35 PM. It stayed on the ground for at least five miles, flattened two barns, heavily damaged six homes and damaged 25 others. On radar at 6:40 PM, the tornadic storm showed strong rotation, while a larger storm to its southwest brought 45 to 50 mph gusts, heavy rain and a little hail.
Can the Wausau weather radar see all the snow that falls?
Not always, because KGRB is about 81 miles away and its lowest beam passes well above the ground over Wausau. That matters in a city that averages 64.3 inches of snow a year under 1991 to 2020 normals at Wausau Downtown Airport. February 2019 brought 54.3 inches, the snowiest month on record at Wausau, ahead of 37.6 inches in December 2008. On snowy days, compare the loop with the hourly forecast and local snow reports.
How cold was the winter of 2013-14 in Wausau?
It set Wausau's record for days below zero, with 56, breaking the old record of 55 days set in 1916-17. That January ranked as the 12th coldest at Wausau, and February 2014 as the fifth coldest. The winter also brought 84.3 inches of snow, the 7th snowiest on record there. In a normal year, Wausau Downtown Airport averages 24.7 days with a low of 0°F or colder.
How high does the Wisconsin River rise near Wausau?
It reached 29.46 feet on the Rothschild gauge on September 24, 2010, the second highest level ever recorded there. Very heavy rain late on September 23 topped four inches in parts of Marathon County. Wausau FAA Airport measured 3.56 inches over two days. That crest was almost three feet below the 1941 flood, which reached 32.3 feet. At 29.5 feet, about 6 inches of water covers parts of Business Highway 51 between Schmidt and Imperial Avenues in Rothschild.
When should you check the Wausau radar?
Severe storm peak
May to JulyAbout 71% of the county's 1996 to 2025 severe reports fall from May to July. Visitors at DC Everest Park and Oak Island Park check the loop before afternoon storms.
Freeze season
October 4 to May 6These are the median dates of the first fall and last spring 32°F freeze in the 1991 to 2020 normals. Frost forms on clear, calm nights that leave the radar blank, so check the hourly low before planting or an early drive on Sherman Road.
What else do people ask about the Wausau radar?
Which NWS office and radar cover Wausau?
NWS Green Bay (GRB) issues forecasts and warnings for Wausau. The nearest NEXRAD radar is KGRB, about 81 miles from the city center.
How often does the radar on this page update?
The radar loop on this page updates every 5 minutes.
Is this page an official warning service?
No. It shows radar and forecasts only. For warnings, follow NWS Green Bay and local emergency alerts.
Quick facts
- Radar: KGRB (Green Bay NEXRAD), a new frame every 5 minutes
- Forecasts and warnings: NWS Green Bay (GRB)
- Severe storms peak from May to July (NOAA Storm Events, 1996 to 2025)
- Local time: CST/CDT
- Radar: KGRB, a new frame every 5 minutes
- Warnings: NWS Green Bay (GRB)
- Severe storms: May to July
- Local time: CST/CDT
Where does this data come from?
- NOAA NEXRAD radar via Iowa Environmental Mesonet
- National Weather Service, Green Bay office
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020: WAUSAU DWTN AP, WI US
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996 to 2025
- USGS Elevation Point Query Service
- GOES-East satellite imagery
- Open-Meteo forecast API
- OpenStreetMap contributors
- NWS Green Bay: Wisconsin F3 tornadoes
- NWS Green Bay: September 2, 2002 Marathon County tornadoes
- NWS Green Bay: Record snowfall in February 2019
- NWS Green Bay: Winter 2013-14 cold
- NWS Green Bay: September 23, 2010 flood
- National Water Prediction Service: Wisconsin River at Rothschild
- NOAA NCEI: 1991 to 2020 annual normals for Wausau Downtown Airport