Wisconsin Dells, located in central Wisconsin, experiences a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and wet, ideal for outdoor fun, while winters are cold, snowy, and windy. The region’s dramatic temperature swings, moderate rainfall, and abundant sunshine make it a year-round destination for waterparks, nature adventures, and family holidays.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Wisconsin Dells’ climate is defined by its continental location, bringing hot summers and cold winters with significant seasonal variation. Summer (June–August) is long, warm, and wet, with daytime highs averaging 26–29°C and nights cooling to 13–16°C. July is the warmest month, with up to 308 hours of sunshine and frequent thunderstorms, making it perfect for waterparks and river tours. Humidity is moderate and rainfall is common, but rarely disrupts summer activities for long.
Winter (December–February) is freezing, snowy, and windy, with average highs of –3 to 0°C and lows plunging to –13 to –9°C. Snowfall is frequent, averaging 42 inches (107 cm) annually, and January is the coldest month. Brisk winds and occasional blizzards create a true winter wonderland, ideal for skiing, snow tubing, and indoor waterparks. Spring and autumn are transitional, with mild temperatures (10–22°C), moderate rainfall, and vibrant wildflowers or autumn foliage. Daylight ranges from 9 hours in winter to over 15 hours in midsummer, and the region averages 186 sunny days per year. Winds are generally moderate, but can be brisk during storms, especially in winter and spring.
| Average climate data for Wisconsin Dells, United States | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | -5 | -3 | 5 | 12 | 19 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 22 | 14 | 6 | -2 | 26 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -12 | -10 | -4 | 2 | 9 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 10 | 5 | -1 | -7 | -12 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 8 | 10 | 13 | 21 | 25 | 30 | 28 | 19 | 17 | 22 | 11 | 11 | 215 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 4 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 94 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 35 | 52 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 31 | 153 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 12 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 44 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 90 | 90 | 80 | 76 | 80 | 82 | 81 | 80 | 80 | 78 | 77 | 85 | 82 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 68 | 64 | 53 | 52 | 45 | 40 | 33 | 34 | 33 | 45 | 48 | 63 | 48 |
| Average UV index | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
The best time to visit Wisconsin Dells is from June to August for warm-weather activities, waterparks, and river tours. Fall (September–October) is also excellent for fewer crowds, colourful foliage, and outdoor adventures. Spring offers mild weather and blooming landscapes, while winter is ideal for snow sports and indoor attractions.
The least favourable time to visit is December to February, when cold, snowy, and windy conditions prevail. While winter sports and indoor waterparks remain popular, outdoor activities are limited and temperatures can be extreme, especially for those unaccustomed to Midwest winters.
Wisconsin Dells has a humid continental climate with warm, wet summers and cold, snowy winters. Spring and autumn are mild and transitional, offering vibrant wildflowers or autumn foliage. The region experiences dramatic temperature swings and moderate rainfall.
June to August is best for outdoor attractions, waterparks, and river tours. September and October offer beautiful autumn colours and quieter visits. Spring is mild and great for hiking, while winter is ideal for snow sports and indoor waterparks.
Yes, Wisconsin Dells averages 42 inches (107 cm) of snow per year, mostly from December to March. Snowfall is frequent and supports winter sports like skiing and tubing.
Summer highs average 26–29°C, with July being the warmest month. Occasional heatwaves can push temperatures above 32°C, but nights are generally cool and comfortable.
Winter highs are –3 to 0°C, and lows can drop to –13°C or lower. January is typically the coldest month, and brisk winds can make it feel even colder.
In summer, bring swimwear, sun protection, and a light raincoat. For winter, pack warm layers, waterproof boots, and gloves. In spring and autumn, dress in layers and bring a rain jacket for changing weather.
Summer is the busiest season, especially at waterparks and outdoor attractions. Autumn is quieter and ideal for scenic drives. Winter and spring see fewer crowds, with many attractions still open, especially indoor waterparks.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (26.2 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (-5.3 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 11.7 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (16 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-12.2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 3 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is June (29.9 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is January (7.9 mm). Over the whole year there are 214.7 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is June (13.4 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (2.3 days). Over the whole year there are 94.1 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is February (51.6 mm). The months with the least snowfall are May, June, July, August and September (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 153.1 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (11.8 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are May, August and September (0 days). Over the whole year there are 43.9 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is January (90 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is April (76.2 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 81.7 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is April (16 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (10.5 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 13.6 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is January (67.8 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is July (33.1 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 48.1 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.9 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 9.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is February (Average sunshine: 2.9 h). Over the whole year there are 6.1 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is July (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 2.9.
