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If you’re thinking about moving to Madison, or Mad City, as the locals call it, you’re in luck. The Madison WI climate is likely on your mind. Thankfully, Madison is one of the best places to live in the Midwest and in the U.S., especially for the Madison WI climate. The city boasts tons of outdoor recreation activities, great parks, awesome food, high-quality education, and much more.
Living in Madison is very affordable, and the unemployment rate is very low. The city has highly rated universities and colleges, a good transit system, museums, galleries, zoos, performing arts, and fun festivals throughout the year.
So, what’s the Madison Wisconsin weather by month like?
It’s easy to interchange the terms Madison weather and Madison WI climate, but they aren’t the same. The Madison WI climate refers to weather conditions over long periods of time, while weather describes the atmospheric conditions on a day-to-day basis. Both are important to know when moving to a new area, so you’ll know what to expect.
Madison has a continental climate that features four distinct seasons.
Madison Seasons
The Madison WI climate comes with four distinct seasons. Winter runs from December to February. Spring starts in March and ends in May. June to August mark the beginning and end of summer in Madison, and fall runs from September to November. Madison is known for heavy snow, frigid winds, floods, tornadoes, and extreme temperatures. Floods are common in Madison due to heavy surface runoff and overflowing rivers and lakes.
Madison gets few tornados per year, only about 0.7 days a year with a tornado, but they can be dangerous when they strike. The peak tornado season is typically in June and July. Madison also experiences blizzards, snowstorms, thunderstorms, and wildfires. Here’s what to expect in the Madison Wisconsin weather year-round.
Winter in Madison
You have to be well prepared for winter in Madison. Winters are very cold, with heavy snow and icy winds. The low temp often falls below freezing and the bitterly cold wind makes it feel even colder. Despite the cold, winter is a great time for a variety of Madison winter activities like ice skating and skiing. The average low temperature in Madison during winter is around 15°F, and the average temperature Madison WI sees throughout the season is only 24°F. Dressing appropriately in winter is essential, which means wearing thermal layers, a heavy winter coat with a hood, and a windproof and waterproof outer jacket.
Waterproof snow boots with good traction, gloves, thick scarves, and warm hats are also a must. Madison averages about 50 inches of snow each year. The snowiest months in winter are typically December and January. Winter can feel like it really runs from the months of Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
Spring in Madison
Spring in Madison runs from March to May and brings a much-needed respite from the bitter cold winter months. Low temperatures are still quite cold, averaging about 35°F, but the Madison Wisconsin average temperature in spring sees highs that average a pleasant 65°F. Occasional rain showers help turn the city’s parks and gardens green in spring.
The average precipitation in spring is about 8 inches. But don’t think the snow is completely gone when spring comes. You can count on about four snowy days in March’s Madison Wisconsin climate, and a couple in April. By May, the snow is usually gone until fall. Spring brings melting ice and blooming flowers.
Residents can go hiking or enjoy paddleboarding and kayaking on Lake Mendota. Have your rain jacket, a sturdy umbrella, waterproof footwear, and layered clothing close at hand during spring in Madison. The Madison WI climate comes with a lot of rain!
Summer in Madison
The Madison, Wisconsin climate in summer months, June to August, brings warm weather. Average highs reach up to around 82°F. Low temperatures average 59°F throughout summer. The average summer temperature in Madison is a pleasant 78°F. The average amount of rainfall in summer is 3.8 inches.
Although it doesn’t rain frequently during the summer months, thunderstorms can develop, and rainfall can be heavy at times. Summer is the time for swimming, boating, kayaking, and enjoying other activities on one of Madison’s 5 lakes. The rain in the Madison WI climate makes for an excellent boating season.
Autumn in Madison
When does it start getting cold in Wisconsin? Autumn in Madison begins in September and ushers in cooler weather, with temperatures ranging between 45°F and 65°F. Autumn experiences changing leaves and crisp air. Average high temperatures start in the low 70s in September and end up in the mid-40s by November, hinting that winter, and frigid temperatures, will soon be there.
Autumn is perfect football weather in Madison, and locals flock to Camp Randall Stadium to watch the University of Wisconsin Badgers play. Other popular fall activities in Madison include visiting pumpkin patches and enjoying hikes on one of Madison's many trails, where you can get an up-close view of the changing leaves.
Does Madison Wisconsin Get a Lot of Snow?
Yes, Madison Wisconsin gets a lot of snow. The Madison WI climate sees an average snowfall Madison WI has of 51.8 inches of snow a year.
Madison Wisconsin Weather by Month
Here is what the Madison Wisconsin weather by month for each month of the year is:
January
January is the coldest month in the Madison WI climate. The average low temperatures are a frosty 10°F, and high temperatures only get up to about 25°F. January is also the snowiest month in Madison, getting an average of 13.3 inches throughout the month. Rainfall is light, averaging 1.5 inches during the month.
February
February isn’t quite as cold as January, but almost. Madison temperatures average between 12°F and 28°F. February experiences about 10.8 inches of snow, although most of it falls early in the month. The average February rainfall is about 1.5 inches.
March
March brings springtime to the Madison WI climate, and temperatures finally average above freezing. Lows average 25°F, while highs are around 45°F. Precipitation is mostly rain in March, but an average of 7.9 inches of snow still blankets the ground during the season. March is typically the fourth snowiest month of the year. It’s also the windiest month of the year, with an average hourly wind speed of 12.4 miles per hour.
April
The weather starts getting warmer in April as temperatures climb to between 35°F and 55°F. Rain becomes more frequent, as much as 3 inches on average for the month. Although snow isn’t common, April gets an average of 2.4 inches. Wind gusts in April can hit 20 to 40 miles per hour.
May
May temperatures rise to an average low of 45°F and a high of 68°F. Spring showers continue in May, with an average of 3.4 inches for the month. In May, the weather Madison WI experiences is about 11.8 days of rain during the month. May is the first month of the year that typically doesn’t see snow.
June
Summer starts in June, and the temperatures rise to an average high of 78°F. Average low temperatures are around 58°F. The warm weather is a refreshing change and perfect for summer activities. June is the rainiest month in Madison, averaging 5.28 inches per month, and falls over an average of 11.3 days.
July
July is typically the warmest and sunniest month in Madison, with sunrise starting at 5:30 am. The average daily high temperature is 82°F, and temperatures can, on occasion, exceed 90°F. The average low at night is 63°F. July gets 4 inches of rain on average.
August
August closes out summer, and the weather is still warm. Average high and low temperatures range from 65°F to 82°F. August is the most humid month in Madison, and humidity levels can be high, making it a muggy month. Summer rains continue in August, with about 4.1 inches falling on average over 10 rainy days.
September
September ushers in cooler weather as the fall season kicks off. Daily temperature averages between 55°F and 70°F with plenty of partly cloudy days. September is a time to enjoy the comfortable temperatures before the colder months come. About 3 inches of rain falls in September on average.
October
October temperatures drop to an average low of 45°F and a high of 60°F. The crisp fall air is perfect for visiting apple orchards and pumpkin patches. October is drier than the summer months, with an average of just 2.4 inches of rainfall. October typically sees the first snows of autumn, but they only average about 0.4 inches.
November
November feels like winter in Madison. Temperatures range from 30°F to 45°F, and rainfall averages 2.1 inches. Light snow is common in November, giving a small taste of what’s coming right around the corner in winter. On average, November experiences 4.4 inches of snowfall.
December
December marks the beginning of winter and that means snow, icy cold, and strong winds. The weather is frigid, with average low temperatures around 15°F and average highs only hitting 30°F. Hail and snow are common. The average rainfall drops to just 1.5 inches as snowfall increases to 11.1 inches on average.
Annual Climate Statistics for Madison
Rainy days in Madison: 115 days per year
Annual rainfall in Madison: 37.13” of precipitation annually
Snowy days in Madison: 15 days per year with at least 1 inch of snow accumulated
Madison WI climate has occasional severe weather. Flooding stems from overflowing rivers and lakes and heavy surface run-off. Tornadoes aren’t common in Madison, but they can cause severe damage when they occur. Severe thunderstorms can also be quite dangerous, with lightning strikes and high winds.
Blizzards and snowstorms can often drop a foot of snow, causing hazardous driving conditions and damage to homes. Wildfires, especially during spring, are a major risk in Madison.
Madison Weather Extremes
Coldest month: January is the coldest month in Madison, with average highs of 25°F and average lows of 10°F.
Warmest month: The hottest month in the Madison WI climate is July, with Madison WI average temperatures of 82°F.
Rainiest month: June is the rainiest month in Madison, with 5.28 inches over 11.3 days.
Snowiest month: January is Madison’s snowiest month, with an average of 13.3 inches of snow over 2.6 snowy days.
Driest month: January is typically the driest month in Madison, with 1.4 inches of rain falling over 1.2 rainy days.
Madison record high temperature: 107°F
Madison record low temperature: -37°F
Best Time to Visit Madison
The best time to visit for the Madison WI climate is from May to June and from September to October. The weather is typically milder, with little snow and ice and less rain with passing clouds, making them ideal months of the year for outdoor activities and enjoying the city's parks and open spaces.
Is Madison Wisconsin a Good Place to Live?
Yes! Madison Wisconsin is a great place to live. If you’re looking at living in Madison, the Madison WI climate is likely on your mind. You’ll need some help moving there. Our top-rated Madison movers at StraightLine Moving Company are here to help you get there quickly and safely!
