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Madison, WI Weather by Month and Climate Averages
Monthly normals · Rain · Snow
Sunshine · Freeze dates · Records · Best time to visit
What is the weather like in Madison, WI?
Madison, WI gets 40.2 in of precipitation a year over about 114 rainy days. July is the warmest month (average high 82°F) and January the coldest (average low 10°F).
Humid continental climate
Madison, WI has warm summers and cold winters. Daytime highs range from about 28°F in January to 82°F in July. June is usually the wettest month, and snow falls in winter. The most comfortable time to visit is typically May and September, when daytime highs sit near 72°F.
| Season | Months | Avg low | Avg high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dec–Feb | 13° | 31° |
| Spring | Mar–May | 35° | 57° |
| Summer | Jun–Aug | 58° | 81° |
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | 38° | 61° |
How much rain does Madison get?
Madison gets 40.2 in of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 114 days with measurable rain. That is more rainy days than 73% of the US.
June is the wettest month, with 5.7 in. January is the driest, with 1.7 in. May has the most rainy days, about 13.
The longest dry spell in the last five years lasted 18 days, to December 2, 2021.
From September 2025 to August 2026 Madison got 35.0 in of rain, against a normal of 40.2 in for those months. April 2026 had the most, with 7.8 in.
See where Madison ranks: rainiest cities in the US, US cities with the most rainy days, rainiest cities in Wisconsin.
Does it snow in Madison?
The snowiest winter on record is 2007–08, with 101.6 in.
The most recent measurable snow at the station fell on March 18, 2026.
From September 2025 to August 2026 the station measured 50.6 in of snow. January 2026 had the most, with 15.0 in.
See where Madison ranks: snowiest cities in the US.
Madison weather by month
Madison weather in January
In January, Madison averages a high of 28°F and a low of 10°F. It gets 1.7 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 26% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The January record high is 59°F (2025) and the record low is -33°F (1979).
Madison weather in February
In February, Madison averages a high of 32°F and a low of 13°F. It gets 1.7 in of precipitation over about 7 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 41% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The February record high is 73°F (2024) and the record low is -38°F (1996).
Madison weather in March
In March, Madison averages a high of 44°F and a low of 23°F. It gets 2.3 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 34% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The March record high is 83°F (2012) and the record low is -12°F (2014).
Madison weather in April
In April, Madison averages a high of 58°F and a low of 35°F. It gets 4.2 in of precipitation over about 12 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 37% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The April record high is 95°F (1980) and the record low is -5°F (1982).
Madison weather in May
In May, Madison averages a high of 69°F and a low of 46°F. It gets 4.5 in of precipitation over about 13 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 39% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The May record high is 95°F (2018) and the record low is 22°F (1989). May is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Madison weather in June
In June, Madison averages a high of 79°F and a low of 56°F. It gets 5.7 in of precipitation over about 12 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 52% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The June record high is 104°F (1988) and the record low is 29°F (1977).
Madison weather in July
In July, Madison averages a high of 82°F and a low of 60°F. It gets 4.7 in of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 49% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The July record high is 103°F (2012) and the record low is 36°F (1972).
Madison weather in August
In August, Madison averages a high of 81°F and a low of 58°F. It gets 4.1 in of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 54% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The August record high is 108°F (1988) and the record low is 32°F (1979).
Madison weather in September
In September, Madison averages a high of 74°F and a low of 50°F. It gets 3.9 in of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 53% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The September record high is 99°F (1978) and the record low is 20°F (1974). September is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Madison weather in October
In October, Madison averages a high of 61°F and a low of 38°F. It gets 3.0 in of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 49% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The October record high is 93°F (1976) and the record low is 7°F (1988).
Madison weather in November
In November, Madison averages a high of 46°F and a low of 27°F. It gets 2.3 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 42% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The November record high is 77°F (2022) and the record low is -14°F (1976).
Madison weather in December
In December, Madison averages a high of 33°F and a low of 17°F. It gets 1.9 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 31% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The December record high is 69°F (2021) and the record low is -28°F (1983).
Sunshine, humidity and wind in Madison
August is the sunniest month in Madison, with estimated sunshine of 54% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. January is the cloudiest, at 26%. The annual cloud-cover estimate is 42% of daylight hours; it is not a measurement of sunshine duration. Madison is cloudier than 79% of the US.
Humidity peaks in January at 77% and is lowest in April at 58%.
Madison has about 12 days a year above 90°F. Madison is cooler than 74% of the US.
See where Madison ranks: sunniest cities in the US, cloudiest cities in the US, hottest cities in the US.
First and last freeze in Madison
The first fall freeze in Madison typically comes around October 5, and the last spring freeze around May 9. That leaves a frost-free growing season of about 149 days.
Madison weather records
These records cover UW ARBORETUM - MADISON during 1971–2026. Earlier records or other stations in the city may differ.
The hottest temperature on record at the Madison station is 108°F, on August 2, 1988. The coldest is -38°F, on February 3, 1996.
The wettest day in the available station history brought 6.0 in of precipitation, on August 21, 2018.
29 all-time records have been set at the station since 1971.
The annual mean temperature has changed by +0.7°F per decade since 1972.
The best time to visit Madison
The most comfortable time to visit is typically May and September, when daytime highs sit near 72°F.
Winter (December–February) is cold, with average highs around 31°F and lows near 13°F. Snow is possible.
Spring (March–May) is mild, with average highs around 57°F and lows near 35°F.
Summer (June–August) is warm, with average highs around 81°F and lows near 58°F.
Autumn (September–November) is mild, with average highs around 61°F and lows near 38°F.
Monthly climate
| Month | Average low | Average high | Precip | Rain days | Humidity | Estimated sunshine | Record high | Record low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10° | 28° | 1.7 in | 8 | 77% | 26% | 59° | -33° |
| February | 13° | 32° | 1.7 in | 7 | 68% | 41% | 73° | -38° |
| March | 23° | 44° | 2.3 in | 8 | 63% | 34% | 83° | -12° |
| April | 35° | 58° | 4.2 in | 12 | 58% | 37% | 95° | -5° |
| May | 46° | 69° | 4.5 in | 13 | 58% | 39% | 95° | 22° |
| June | 56° | 79° | 5.7 in | 12 | 60% | 52% | 104° | 29° |
| July | 60° | 82° | 4.7 in | 10 | 67% | 49% | 103° | 36° |
| August | 58° | 81° | 4.1 in | 10 | 69% | 54% | 108° | 32° |
| September | 50° | 74° | 3.9 in | 9 | 69% | 53% | 99° | 20° |
| October | 38° | 61° | 3.0 in | 10 | 65% | 49% | 93° | 7° |
| November | 27° | 46° | 2.3 in | 8 | 67% | 42% | 77° | -14° |
| December | 17° | 33° | 1.9 in | 8 | 74% | 31% | 69° | -28° |
Station: UW ARBORETUM - MADISON, 4 km from the city. Temperature normal baseline: 1991–2020, calculated from available NOAA GHCN-Daily observations. Available station history: 1971–2026; record values refer to this station and period, not the entire city’s history. Precipitation includes rain and the water equivalent of frozen precipitation; snowfall depth is shown separately when available. Sources and methods
From ERA5 reanalysis. Sunshine is estimated from cloud cover.
Madison climate questions
How much rain does Madison get?
Madison gets 40.2 in of precipitation in an average year, over about 114 rainy days.
What is the wettest month in Madison?
June is the wettest month in Madison, with 5.7 in. January is the driest, with 1.7 in.
How many rainy days does Madison have a year?
Madison has about 114 days with measurable rain in an average year. May has the most, about 13.
What is the hottest month in Madison?
July is the warmest month in Madison, with an average high of 82°F.
What is the coldest month in Madison?
January is the coldest month in Madison, with an average low of 10°F.
What is the record high temperature in Madison?
Within the available 1971–2026 station history, the record high at the Madison station is 108°F, set on August 2, 1988. The record low is -38°F, on February 3, 1996.
What is the sunniest month in Madison?
August is the sunniest month in Madison, with estimated sunshine of 54% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. January is the cloudiest.
When is the first frost in Madison?
The first fall freeze in Madison typically comes around October 5. The last spring freeze is around May 9.
What is the best time to visit Madison?
The most comfortable time to visit is typically May and September, when daytime highs sit near 72°F.