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Other Stations in Madison

About this Station

Madison is set on a narrow isthmus of land between Lakes Mendota and Monona. Lake Mendota (l5 square miles) lies northwest of Lake Monona (5 square miles) and the lakes are only two-thirds of a mile apart at one point. Drainage at Madison is southeast through two other lakes into the Rock River, which flows south into Illinois, and then west to the Mississippi. The westward flowing Wisconsin River is only 20 miles northwest of Madison. Madison lakes are normally frozen from mid-December to early April.

Madison has the typical continental climate of interior North America with a large annual temperature range and with frequent short period temperature changes. The range of extreme temperatures is from about 110 to -40 degrees. Winter temperatures (December-February) average near 20 degrees and the summer average (June-August) is in the upper 60s. Daily temperatures average below 32 degrees about 120 days and above 40 degrees for about 210 days of the year.

Madison lies in the path of the frequent cyclones and anticyclones which move eastward over this area during fall, winter and spring. In summer, the cyclones have diminished intensity and tend to pass farther north. The most frequent air masses are of polar origin. Occasional outbreaks of arctic air affect this area during the winter months. Although northward moving tropical air masses contribute considerable cloudiness and precipitation, the true Gulf air mass does not reach this area in winter, and only occasionally at other seasons. Summers are pleasant, with only occasional periods of extreme heat or high humidity. There are no dry and wet seasons, but about 60 percent of the annual precipitation falls in the five months of May through September. Cold season precipitation is lighter, but lasts longer. Soil moisture is usually adequate in the first part of the growing season. During July, August, and September, the crops depend on current rainfall, which is mostly from thunderstorms and tends to be erratic and variable. Average occurrence of thunderstorms is just under 7 days per month during this period.

March and November are the windiest months. Tornadoes are infrequent. Dane County has about one tornado in every three to five years.

The ground is covered with 1 inch or more of snow about 60 percent of the time from about December l0 to near February 25 in an average winter. The soil is usually frozen from the first of December through most of March with an average frost penetration of 25 to 30 inches. The growing season averages l75 days.

Farming is diversified with the main emphasis on dairying. Field crops are mainly corn, oats, clover, and alfalfa, but barley, wheat, rye, and tobacco are also raised. Canning factories pack peas, sweet corn, and lima beans. Fruits are mainly apples, strawberries, and raspberries.

Data Inventories

Please note that additional data (digital and non-digital) are available for this station. Contact NCDC if additional details are needed.


Click on the following where available:
DAT to obtain data (charges may apply),
INV to view inventory, or
DOC to view documentation



Surface
DAT INV DOC 3200 -Cooperative Summary Of The Day
DAT INV DOC 3210 -Summary Of The Day - First Order
DAT INV DOC SOD -Daily Surface Data (TD3200/3210 combined)
DAT INV DOC 3220 -Summary Of The Month (SOM) Cooperative
DAT INV DOC 3240 -Hourly Precipitation Data
DAT INV DOC 3260 -15 Minute Precipitation Data
DAT INV DOC 3280 -Surface Airways Hourly And Airways Solar Radiation
DAT INV DOC 3290 -Summary Observation
DAT INV DOC 3292 -Weather Duration
DAT INV DOC 9950 -Datsav2 Surface, Global Surface Hourly Data (see Global Surface Station Information).

Online Data

NNDC Climate Data Online
SOD -Daily Surface Data (TD3200/3210 combined)
3220 -Summary Of The Month (SOM) Cooperative
3240 -Hourly Precipitation Data


Daily Data, Summary of the Day Observations (NWS Cooperative Stations)

Hourly/Daily Data, Local Climatological Data

Hourly Data, Form 10A/10B

Graph Weather Elements

The graphs generated here are from the National Weather Service Summary of the Day dataset. For additional data and visualization, use CLIMVIS.

Select the desired values for Element 1, Element 2 and Month. Enter the desired Year and Submit Graph Values to view graph.


Element 1	(A) Daily Maximum Temperature (B) Daily Minimum Temperature (C) Daily Precipitation (D) Daily Snowfall (E) Snow Depth at Observation Time (F) Maximum Relative Humidity (G) Minimum Relative Humidity (H) Peak Gust Speed (I) Daily Total Sunshine (J) Daily Percent of Possible Sunshine (K) Departure from Normal Temperature (L) Average Daily Dew-Point Temperature (M) Heating Degree Days (N) Cooling Degree Day (O) Average Daily Station Pressure (P) Average Daily Wind Speed
Element 2	(A) Daily Maximum Temperature (B) Daily Minimum Temperature (C) Daily Precipitation (D) Daily Snowfall (E) Snow Depth at Observation Time (F) Maximum Relative Humidity (G) Minimum Relative Humidity (H) Peak Gust Speed (I) Daily Total Sunshine (J) Daily Percent of Possible Sunshine (K) Departure from Normal Temperature (L) Average Daily Dew-Point Temperature (M) Heating Degree Days (N) Cooling Degree Day (O) Average Daily Station Pressure (P) Average Daily Wind Speed
Year/Month	January February March April May June July August September October November December

Station History

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