French Island has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 83°, a January night drops to 9°, and about 43 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in French Island at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about French Island’s climate
Read from where French Island sits among Wisconsin’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
About 177 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by April 23 and the first by October 17.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with French Island’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
177 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Apr 23 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 17.
About 43" a winter over 13 days with an inch or more, most in December. Snow covers the ground about 78 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 88% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 18 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 83°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August and September. 0.2 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 →What a year in French Island feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
43 inches of snow, 36 of rain and melt
June is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 126 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
French Island and its neighbors
Campbell has the coldest January nights next door (8°) and Campbell 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.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in French Island averaged 1.4° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+3.1°).
A bigger shift than in 61% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How French Island compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Wisconsin.
French Island 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 | 26° | 9° | 1.2" | 9.1" | 9 | 23 | 6° – 30° |
| February | 31° | 12° | 1.1" | 10.9" | 8 | 24 | 10° – 33° |
| March | 44° | 24° | 1.9" | 6.8" | 9 | 12 | 27° – 50° |
| April | 58° | 36° | 3.9" | 2.6" | 12 | 1 | 38° – 54° |
| May | 70° | 48° | 4.8" | 0.1" | 14 | 0 | 53° – 66° |
| June | 79° | 58° | 5.2" | 0 | 13 | 0 | 65° – 73° |
| July | 83° | 62° | 4.3" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 67° – 79° |
| August | 81° | 60° | 4.2" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 65° – 76° |
| September | 74° | 52° | 3.8" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 55° – 68° |
| October | 60° | 39° | 2.8" | 0.2" | 10 | 0 | 44° – 55° |
| November | 44° | 28° | 1.9" | 1.6" | 8 | 2 | 27° – 47° |
| December | 31° | 16° | 1.4" | 11.6" | 11 | 17 | 9° – 33° |
| Year | 57° | 37° | 36.3" | 42.9" | 126 | 78 |
Heating and cooling a home in French Island
88% 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. January swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 6° to 30°. June is the most reliable, staying within 8°.
Common questions about French Island’s climate
What is the coldest month in French Island?
January, with a typical high of 26° and a low of 9°.
What is the hottest month in French Island?
July, with a typical high of 83° and a low of 62°. About 18 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does French Island get?
About 43 inches in a normal winter, most of it in December.
When is the first frost in French Island?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 17, and the last spring frost by April 23.
What is the rainiest month in French Island?
June, with 5.2 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 36 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in French Island.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for French Island itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at La Crosse 4nnw, WI (1 mi, snow) and La Crosse Municipal Airport, WI (2 mi, frost, heat and degree days). 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.