North Lake has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 82°, a January night drops to 12°, and about 40 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in North Lake at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about North Lake’s climate
Read from where North Lake sits among Wisconsin’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
What a year in North Lake feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
Living with North Lake’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
164 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Apr 30 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 12.
About 40" a winter over 13 days with an inch or more, most in January. Snow covers the ground about 64 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 92% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 7 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 82°.
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 →40 inches of snow, 35 of rain and melt
June is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 129 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
About 164 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by April 30 and the first by October 12.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
North Lake and its neighbors
Merton has the coldest January nights next door (12°) and Chenequa the hottest July afternoons (82°). 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 North Lake averaged 1.3° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+2.9°).
A bigger shift than in 56% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How North Lake compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Wisconsin.
North Lake 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 | 27° | 12° | 1.6" | 11.1" | 11 | 22 | 9° – 31° |
| February | 31° | 15° | 1.5" | 9.8" | 10 | 19 | 11° – 35° |
| March | 43° | 24° | 2.0" | 4.8" | 10 | 8 | 25° – 48° |
| April | 56° | 34° | 3.7" | 2.0" | 12 | 1 | 36° – 51° |
| May | 68° | 45° | 4.0" | 0.2" | 13 | 0 | 51° – 62° |
| June | 78° | 56° | 4.8" | 0 | 12 | 0 | 63° – 72° |
| July | 82° | 60° | 3.9" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 65° – 78° |
| August | 80° | 58° | 3.9" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 64° – 75° |
| September | 73° | 51° | 3.3" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 55° – 66° |
| October | 60° | 39° | 2.8" | 0.1" | 11 | 0 | 45° – 56° |
| November | 45° | 28° | 2.2" | 1.4" | 10 | 2 | 27° – 46° |
| December | 33° | 18° | 1.8" | 10.2" | 11 | 13 | 12° – 36° |
| Year | 56° | 37° | 35.3" | 39.6" | 129 | 64 |
Heating and cooling a home in North Lake
92% 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 11° to 35°. June is the most reliable, staying within 9°.
Common questions about North Lake’s climate
What is the coldest month in North Lake?
January, with a typical high of 27° and a low of 12°.
What is the hottest month in North Lake?
July, with a typical high of 82° and a low of 60°. About 7 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does North Lake get?
About 40 inches in a normal winter, most of it in January.
When is the first frost in North Lake?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 12, and the last spring frost by April 30.
What is the rainiest month in North Lake?
June, with 4.8 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 35 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in North Lake.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for North Lake itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Oconomowoc WWTP, WI (8 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.