University of Wisconsin - Weather

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Weather is always going to be unpredictable, and weather in Madison is no exception. Students refer to UW’s climate as mild fall and spring mixed with intense summer and winter. While this variation in temperatures can be annoying at times, students try to take it in stride. Students advise new students or visiting ones to come prepared for the temperamental weather.

Since Madison is located in the Midwest, the weather tends to change very quickly and dramatically. Summers can reach temperatures nearing 100 degrees, and winters can chill into the negative numbers. Walking to and from campus puts students outside, exposed for long amounts of time. In the winter gloves, hats, scarves, and boots are essential for trudging through snowy walkways. Summertime calls for less apparel but lots of sunscreen. Those attending UW should pack for every weather condition.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

In the summer, the weather is... In the summer, the weather is either beautiful or humid. Fall is Madison’s best season because its always crisp and just cool enough out. Winter can be harsh, so make sure you have the warmest winter jacket you can possibly find. Everyone in Madison either owns a Columbia or North Face winter jacket. Outside of that, wear what you want, and have clothing for a wide variety of weather. 12345 Weather Report

Anonymous says:

The weather in Madison is typical... The weather in Madison is typical Midwest weather—warm summers and cold winters. I am very impressed at how clear they keep the sidewalks during the winter. If we get a few inches of snow during the night, by the next morning the sidewalks are spotless. 12345 Weather Report

Anonymous says:

Weather can be great or it can... Weather can be great or it can suck. The wind off the lake is harsh, but during the spring, it’s worth it because the lake view is beautiful, especially from the terrace. It is gorgeous out there. 12345 Weather Report

Anonymous says:

For the most part, we have all... For the most part, we have all four seasons. It gets pretty cold in the winter, and because Madison is an isthmus that sits between two lakes, the lake wind is pretty bitter. Even though it does get cold in the winter, it always has blue skies, which makes it okay. 12345 Weather Report

Anonymous says:

When it’s hot, it’s hot; and when... When it’s hot, it’s hot; and when it’s cold, it’s cold. The transition times when the weather is nice rarely last more than a week or two. 12345 Weather Report

Did You Know?

In the 2007–2008 school year, Madison averaged about 100 inches of snow for winter. Then, to the students' great surprise, 2008–2009 brought well over 100 inches of snow!

In Spring 2009, students tried to set a record snowball fight for the Guiness Book of World Records. Students dressed in red from the Lakeshore dorms and students in black from the Southeast dorms met on Bascom Hill and battled for about an hour. Unfortunately, despite the hundreds of students who came, there were not enough to break the record held by MI Tech in 2006.

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