Dover has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 83°, a January night drops to 14°, and about 41 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Dover at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Dover’s climate
Read from where Dover sits among Wisconsin’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
What a year in Dover feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
About 156 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 5 and the first by October 8.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Dover averaged 1.0° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+2.7°).
A smaller shift than in 68% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
41 inches of snow, 36 of rain and melt
June is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 111 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
Living with Dover’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
156 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 5 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Oct 8.
About 41" a winter over 13 days with an inch or more, most in January. Snow covers the ground about 55 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 93% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 9 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 83°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August and September. 9.3 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →Dover and its neighbors
Rochester has the coldest January nights next door (13°) and Rochester the hottest July afternoons (83°). Tap a town to see its climate.
Temperatures and rain come from NOAA’s 5 km grid, so each town gets its own value. Snow and frost-free days come from the nearest weather station, so neighbors often share them.
How Dover compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Wisconsin.
Dover weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29° | 14° | 1.7" | 13.0" | 9 | 20 | 12° – 33° |
| February | 33° | 17° | 1.7" | 11.0" | 7 | 14 | 12° – 36° |
| March | 44° | 26° | 2.2" | 4.9" | 8 | 7 | 26° – 49° |
| April | 57° | 35° | 3.6" | 1.7" | 11 | 1 | 38° – 52° |
| May | 68° | 46° | 4.0" | 0 | 12 | 0 | 52° – 63° |
| June | 78° | 56° | 4.5" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 63° – 72° |
| July | 83° | 61° | 3.6" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 66° – 78° |
| August | 80° | 60° | 3.7" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 65° – 75° |
| September | 73° | 52° | 3.4" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 57° – 68° |
| October | 61° | 40° | 3.0" | 0.1" | 10 | 0 | 46° – 57° |
| November | 46° | 30° | 2.3" | 2.1" | 8 | 2 | 30° – 47° |
| December | 34° | 20° | 1.9" | 7.7" | 9 | 10 | 14° – 37° |
| Year | 57° | 38° | 35.7" | 40.5" | 111 | 55 |
Heating and cooling a home in Dover
93% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. February swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 12° to 36°. June is the most reliable, staying within 9°.
Common questions about Dover’s climate
What is the coldest month in Dover?
January, with a typical high of 29° and a low of 14°.
What is the hottest month in Dover?
July, with a typical high of 83° and a low of 61°. About 9 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Dover get?
About 41 inches in a normal winter, most of it in January.
When is the first frost in Dover?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 8, and the last spring frost by May 5.
What is the rainiest month in Dover?
June, with 4.5 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 36 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Dover.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Dover itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Union Grove, WI (5 mi) away. Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.