Racine is located on the western shore of Lake Michigan in southeastern Wisconsin about 75 miles north of Chicago and 30 miles south of Milwaukee. Racine's weather is influenced to a considerable extent by Lake Michigan, especially when the temperature of the lake differs markedly from the air temperature. During spring and early summer a wind shift from westerly to easterly can cause a 10 to 15 degree drop in temperature. In autumn and winter the relatively warm water of Lake Michigan prevents nighttime temperatures from falling as low as they do a few miles inland from shore.
Area: 16 square miles (2000)
Elevation: 620 feet above sea level
Average Temperatures: January, 20.5° F; July, 71.5° F; annual average, 47.2° F
Average Annual Precipitation: 35.3 inches