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Weather & Climate in Madison, WI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Madison experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 265 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 33.6 inches. The area receives 45.8 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 925 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 50.2°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 265 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 925 ft (282 m) |
| Area | 17.2 sq mi (44.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,295/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.0878°N, 89.4299°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Dane County County |
| Nearest Airport | Dane County Regional/Truax Field (MSN) 6 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 93.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 15.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 97.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very High |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Feb 10, 2010 | 2 km NW of Lily Lake, Illinois | M3.8 | 146 km | 10 km |
| Mar 25, 2015 | 3 km WNW of Lake in the Hills, Illinois | M2.9 | 133 km | 6 km |
| Jun 10, 2013 | 4 km NNE of Virgil, Illinois | M2.6 | 144 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
578 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 22 fatalities, 620 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 18, 1996 | EF5 | 94 km | 13.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1984 | EF5 | 47 km | 36.0 mi | 9 |
| Apr 27, 1984 | EF4 | 87 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 3, 1983 | EF4 | 58 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1974 | EF4 | 88 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 26, 1951 | EF4 | 45 km | 9.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 16, 2014 | EF3 | 14 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 7, 2008 | EF3 | 92 km | 13.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 18, 2005 | EF3 | 19 km | 18.6 mi | 1 |
| Jun 23, 2004 | EF3 | 76 km | 7.6 mi | 1 |
| Jun 23, 2004 | EF3 | 77 km | 33.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 1992 | EF3 | 25 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1988 | EF3 | 86 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1984 | EF3 | 43 km | 29.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1980 | EF3 | 54 km | 10.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 1980 | EF3 | 57 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1977 | EF3 | 99 km | 69.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1975 | EF3 | 23 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 21, 1974 | EF3 | 72 km | 58.6 mi | 2 |
| Apr 21, 1974 | EF3 | 75 km | 22.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
10 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,524 acres, 2006).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,524 | 82 km |
| 2010 | RX BURN | 1,236 | 82 km |
| 1994 | SOMMERS | 938 | 81 km |
| 1988 | PEACHY RD | 812 | 79 km |
| 2018 | 2018 BADGER RX BURNS | 659 | 41 km |
| 2019 | 2019 BADGER RX BURNS | 627 | 40 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 612 | 81 km |
| 2007 | TOWER RD 2 | 592 | 79 km |
| 2024 | RX-HWY Y - SOUTH | 553 | 57 km |
| 2009 | COLD SPRINGS | 552 | 49 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.2 in | |
| February | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.1 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 33°F (0°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| September | 62°F (16°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 2.3 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 2.2 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.7 in |
Madison has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 22°F in February to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (1.1").