The climate in Madison varies throughout the year. From chilly temperatures to hot summers, Madison has it all. While most people choose to visit this city in the summer, there are plenty of activities to do and attractions to enjoy all year round. If you’re considering relocating to Madison, understanding the weather is important.

Weather

The average temperature in Madison is a pleasant 78 degrees Fahrenheit (25 deg C) during the summer months and a chillier 14 deg F (5 deg C) during the winter. In addition, there are 187 sunny days per year, making it an ideal destination for outdoor activities like swimming and biking.

Rainfall

Madison gets an average of 36 inches of rainfall per year, with a 10% chance of precipitation on an average day. The wettest month is May, with an average of 0.49 inches (12.6 mm) of precipitation. The driest month is January, with an average of 0.19 inches (4.7 mm) of precipitation.

Wind Speed and Direction

The typical hourly wind speed in Madison varies dramatically throughout the year. The windiest time of the year is in March, with an average wind speed of more than 12.4 miles per hour. The calmer time of the year is in August, with an average wind speed of 8.3 miles per hour.

Humidity

The humidity in Madison varies between 50% and 90% during the summers, while it tends to be around 40% during the winters. The average dew point in Madison is a comfortable 27 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cloudiness

The cloud cover in Madison varies from 60% to 80% of the time during the summers, while it often rains during the winters. The cloudiest month of the year is January, with an average of 65% of the sky covered in clouds.

Sunlight

The average amount of sunshine in Madison is a pleasant 12.6 hours during the summers and duller 9.5 hours during the winters. The sunniest time of the year is June, with an average of 15 hours of sunlight.

Temperature Comfort Level

The temperature comfort level in Madison is a comfortable 6.7, ranking it as one of the best in Wisconsin. This score considers the following:

Heat and Humidity

The heat and humidity comfort levels in Madison are based on the dew point, which determines whether perspiration will evaporate from the skin, thereby cooling the body. A higher dew point means a drier feel to the air, while a lower dew point makes it feel humid and uncomfortable to be outdoors.

Water Levels

The water levels in Madison vary between 2.25 and 3.15 feet during the summers, while they fluctuate between 0.25 and 1.50 feet during the winters. The highest and lowest water levels in Madison are located on Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, respectively.

Temperature Changes

The annual temperature change in Madison is 0.2 degrees, which is similar to the global average. The monthly average temperature changes vary between 0.1 and 1.3 degrees, with a larger difference during the coldest months of the year.

Snowfall

The snowfall in Madison varies between 5.0 and 7.7 inches per month during the winters, with an average of 5.8 inches during the coldest months. The snowiest months of the year are December and January, with an average of 5.0 and 7.0 inches of snowfall, respectively.