This season has had two faces, with the first month of meteorological winter (December) warmer than normal, and now a very cold final month of February. Taking into account computer model projections of a continuing "polar vortex" jet stream pattern, February averaged 10-12 degrees below normal, similar to the exceptional February 2014, and was the coldest in the past 79 years for Madison and Milwaukee.

Ice: Unusual for Madison Lakes, Approaching Exceptional for Great Lakes

Madison Lakes- The two largest ones (Mendota and Monona) closed about two weeks later than average due to the abnormally warm December, while the smaller Lake Wingra closed two weeks earlier due to the abnormally cold November. See our Madison Lakes Ice Summary website for details.
Great Lakes- In mid- February their average ice cover increased rapidly beyond its normal maximum value for the season. On March 2, the average for all lakes was 88%, and Lake Michigan had about 75% coverage. In comparison, last winter's exceptional March ice cover was 92.5%. Great Lakes ice cover maps are updated daily by NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory.

Maps of 2015 temperature and precipitation data along with their departures from normal are available below.

Weather computer models and the seasonal forecasts of the NOAA Climate Prediction Center are available.

Last 24 Hours - Courtesy of NWS Sullivan

Southern Wisconsin

Precipitation (inches) Low Temperature (F) High Temperature (F) Snowfall (inches) Snow Depth (inches)

Statewide

Precipitation (inches) Low Temperature (F) High Temperature (F) Snowfall (inches) Snow Depth (inches)

Last 7 Days (Statewide Maps) - updated by 10:30am Central Time

Precipitation (inches)	Mean Temperature (F)	Low Temperature (F)	High Temperature (F)
Precipitation Departure (inches)	Mean Temperature Departure (F)	Low Temperature Departure (F)	High Temperature Departure (F)
Precipitation Percent of Average

Last 30 Days (Statewide Maps) - updated by 10:30am Central Time

Precipitation (inches)	Mean Temperature (F)	Low Temperature (F)	High Temperature (F)
Precipitation Departure (inches)	Mean Temperature Departure (F)	Low Temperature Departure (F)	High Temperature Departure (F)
Precipitation Percent of Average

Last 90 Days (Statewide Maps) - updated by 10:30am Central Time

Precipitation (inches)	Mean Temperature (F)	Low Temperature (F)	High Temperature (F)
Precipitation Departure (inches)	Mean Temperature Departure (F)	Low Temperature Departure (F)	High Temperature Departure (F)
Precipitation Percent of Average

Recent precipitation data from NOAA NWS

High-resolution Precipitation Maps from NOAA
Multi-sensor Precipitation Estimates (from NWS Radar Observations
and rain gauge data) for:

1-day to 1-year Precipitation Estimates for
- Wisconsin
- National
Hourly precipitation estimates (Experimental)

Monthly 2015 Statewide Maps -
Courtesy of Midwestern Regional Climate Center

Precipitation (inches) - and departures from 1981-2010 Normals

Month

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Ann

Actual

Departure

% of normal

Mean Temperature (F) - and departures from 1981-2010 Normals

Month

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Ann

Actual

Departure

Snowfall (inches) - and departures from 1981-2010 Normals

Month

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Actual

Departure

% of normal

See archive of statewide monthly precipitation, temperature and snowfall maps for previous years (2001-2014)

Last 12 Months Averages

The data for these products come from the U.S. Cooperative Network, augmented by observations from NWS and FAA sites. These cooperative sites are operated by volunteer observers using approved instruments and observing techniques. Their efforts that provide sufficient data to generate these products are greatly appreciated.

Statewide Monthly Averages for Last 12 Months and
departures from 1981-2010 Normals

Precipitation (inches)	Temperature (F)
Precipitation Departure (inches)	Temperature Departure

Divisional Monthly Averages for Last 12 Months
- Temperature (and departure from 1981-2010 normals)
  
  Division NW NC NE WC C EC SW SC SE
  
  Actual A A A A A A A A A
  
  Departure D D D D D D D D D
- Precipitation (and departure from 1981-2010 normals)
  
  Division NW NC NE WC C EC SW SC SE
  
  Actual A A A A A A A A A
  
  Departure D D D D D D D D D
See archive of statewide-averaged data for previous years (2001-2014)

Wisconsin Drought Issues

See the section in our Water Systems page for current information on Wisconsin soil moisture and potential drought conditions.

Midwest to Global

Tables, maps, other graphics and narratives describing the climate of the Midwest, the United States and the globe over the last week to one year are available.

Record Global Temperatures in 2010 - Report from NOAA

Forecasts & Outlooks

Short-term Wisconsin predictions - NWS Sullivan

County-level agricultural forecasts are available for all Wisconsin Counties courtesy of the University of Kentucky Agricultural Weather Center

Local 3-month temperature outlook from National Weather Service:
- Southeastern and South central (Beloit, Dodgeville, Fond du Lac, Kenosha, Madison, Milwaukee, Montello, Oconomowoc, Port Washington, Wisconsin Dells
- West central, Central, and Southwest Wisconsin (La Crosse, Lancaster 4WSW, Mather 3W, Medford, Viroqua 2S)
- Northeast and East central Wisconsin (Appleton, Green Bay, Laona, Oshkosh, Rhinelander, Shawano, Sturgeon Bay, Two Rivers, Wausau, Wisconsin Rapids)
- West central and Northwest Wisconsin (Eau Claire, Rice Lake)
- Northwest and North central Wisconsin (Danbury, Duluth/Superior, Gurney, Park Falls)
- Upper Peninsula of Michigan (Ironwood, Iron Mountain, Stephenson, Stambaugh)
- Northern Illinois (Rockford, Marengo)
- Northeast Iowa and Northwest Illinois (Dubuque, Freeport)
US Hazards Assessment (forecast) from Climate Prediction Center: