Weather in Madison, Wisconsin
Roses open along the stoops. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Heavy Drizzle99%85°61°
- SundayMay 17Heavy Rain62%73°58°
- MondayMay 18Thunderstorm71%78°60°
- TuesdayMay 19Showers68%70°50°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—58°42°
- ThursdayMay 21Overcast—62°37°
- FridayMay 22Overcast11%66°45°
- PM 2.5
- 10.2 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 12.0 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 25.5 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 62.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:35 AM
- Moonset
- 1:49 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open along the stoops
Madison at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 68°F — typical for the season
- Last frost: May 4 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Cool-season window is open
As of May 17, the cool-season window is open or about to open. Direct-sow peas, lettuce, spinach, radishes, and brassicas now. Hold off on warm-season crops until 1–2 weeks after the last spring frost (around May).
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | — | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash, fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | — | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July brings Madison's warmest temperatures (~72°F mean) while January delivers the coldest (~19°F). June sees peak rainfall at 5.7 inches, with January recording the lowest at 1.7 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19° | 1.7″ | 4 |
| February | 23° | 1.7″ | 5 |
| March | 34° | 2.3″ | 5 |
| April | 47° | 4.2″ | 8 |
| May | 58° | 4.5″ | 9 |
| June | 68° | 5.7″ | 8 |
| July | 72° | 4.7″ | 7 |
| August | 70° | 4.1″ | 6 |
| September | 62° | 3.9″ | 6 |
| October | 50° | 3.0″ | 6 |
| November | 37° | 2.3″ | 5 |
| December | 25° | 1.9″ | 5 |
Regional context
Madison falls within the warm-summer humid continental climate region, sharing temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with other nearby cities in this climate zone.
Similar climates: Milwaukee, WI, Appleton, WI, Green Bay, WI, Racine, WI, Kenosha, WI.
Naturalist notes
American robins return to Madison in late March, their territorial songs marking the transition from winter's quiet.
Wild columbine blooms emerge in May along woodland edges, their distinctive spurred flowers attracting early pollinators.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Madison?
- Madison's last spring frost usually occurs around mid-May, with the first fall frost returning around mid-October.
- What is the rainy season in Madison?
- June records the highest rainfall with about 5.7 inches on average; Madison receives roughly 40 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Madison?
- July typically brings the warmest weather, averaging about 72°F.
- What is the coldest month in Madison?
- January typically delivers the coldest temperatures, averaging about 19°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Madison?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost in mid-May; warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Madison get?
- Madison records about 73 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Madison?
- Madison's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; use the USDA's online lookup tool with the city ZIP code for the current zone designation.
Climate
Madison, Wisconsin experiences a warm-summer humid continental climate zone. Winter temperatures in January hover near 19°F, while July averages reach 72°F — creating a 52°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Madison collects about 40 inches of precipitation distributed across roughly 73 rainy days.
Several factors determine the city's weather patterns: its latitude at 43.1°N, nearby large water bodies, and local elevation. These elements influence plant growth cycles, frost timing, and daily weather conditions.