Wisconsin State Climatology Office

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Weather and climate play a vital role in our state’s economy, agriculture, and recreation. The Wisconsin State Climatology Office, part of the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Rural Partnerships Institute, collects, analyzes, and shares climate information with our communities while leading the way in climate science education and research.

Climate is often described in terms of degrees, inches, and percents —

but what does it really feel like for Wisconsin’s climate to shift over time?

Meet the Analog Climate Explorer

Areas of Expertise

Climate Data

View our collection of Wisconsin climate data, which includes temperature, precipitation, snowfall, and other records dating back to the 19th century.

Recent data | Historic data
Wisconsin seasons | Climate divisions
First-order stations

Education & Outreach

Explore our weather and climate education resources to learn about Wisconsin’s historic and current climate.

Educational Information

Research

Learn how we’re addressing the challenges posed by Wisconsin’s climate, particularly among rural and agricultural communities.

Research

Specialized Climate Information

Lake Ice

See the history of freezing and thawing of Madison’s lakes, from 1852 to the present, in addition to current and historical ice conditions on the Great Lakes.

Madison lake ice data
Great Lakes ice data

Drought

Get real-time and historical data on drought and moisture conditions across the state.

Current drought information

Agriculture

Find local climate and weather information tailored to Wisconsin’s farming community.

Agricultural data

Climate Trends

View historical changes and future projections for temperature and precipitation across Wisconsin.

Trends, projections, and tools

Wisconsin Climate Summaries

Subscribe to the monthly Wisconsin climate summary newsletter