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Wisconsin State Climatology Office

Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies

Weather and climate play a vital role in our state’s economy, agriculture, and recreation. As part of the Nelson Institute Center for Climatic Research, the Wisconsin State Climatology Office collects, analyzes, and shares climate information with our communities while leading the way in climate science education and research.

Areas of Expertise

A computer screen shows a graph of different atmospheric measurements

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 | First-order stations

A flux tower is used to gather data on atmospheric conditions

Mesonet

Explore our growing network of real-time weather and soil measurement stations to support Wisconsin farmers, scientists, and citizens.

Wisconsin Mesonet

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Research

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

Research

Specialized Climate Information

People walking on frozen Lake Mendota, getting an up-close view of Lady Liberty appearing to emerge through the ice

Lake Ice

See the history of freezing and thawing of Madison’s lakes, from 1852 to the present.

Madison lake ice data

Brown, nearly dead corn stalks resulting from an extended period of hot, dry weather

Drought

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

Current drought information

Early-morning aerial view of farmland in early fall

Agriculture

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

Agricultural data

Wisconsin Climate Summaries

  • Snow-covered pumpkins

    October 2023 Wisconsin Climate Summary

    October featured a little bit of everything across Wisconsin. Most notable was the precipitation that finally eased our state's drought conditions, but the month was also marked by warmer-than-average temperatures that contrasted with a winter-like Halloween.

  • September 2023 Wisconsin Climate Summary

    One could be forgiven for forgetting September marked the start of meteorological fall. In Wisconsin and beyond, the continued historic hot and dry conditions sure felt more like mid-July. 

  • August 2023 Wisconsin Climate Summary

    Meteorological summer ended as one of the driest on record. The continued drought conditions were accompanied by a short but intense heat wave in August that included temperatures above 100 degrees.

  • View more climate summaries

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Wisconsin’s Climate Future

Wisconsin’s climate continues to change. An analysis of past climate data confirms that our state is getting warmer and wetter. How will our communities be affected, and what can they do to adapt? The Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts, a partnership between the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, identifies vulnerability to climate change and works to improve our resilience and readiness.

Visit WICCI