Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
The climate of Milwaukee is
continental, with very cold winters and warm to hot summers, during which there are quite frequent thunderstorms.
The city is located in south-western Wisconsin, on the west shore of Lake Michigan, and 130 km (80 mi) north of Chicago. As you might expect, the weather is similar to that of Chicago, albeit a bit colder.
We are in the Midwest of the United States, an area characterized by unstable weather and sudden changes in temperature.
The
average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -4.4 °C (24 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 22.9 °C (73.3 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Milwaukee - Average temperatures (1991-2020) Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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January | -8.2 | -0.6 | -4.4 | 17 | 31 | 24.1 |
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February | -6.7 | 1.2 | -2.7 | 20 | 34 | 27.1 |
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March | -1.8 | 6.8 | 2.5 | 29 | 44 | 36.5 |
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April | 3.2 | 12.6 | 7.9 | 38 | 55 | 46.2 |
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May | 8.8 | 19.2 | 14 | 48 | 67 | 57.2 |
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June | 14.7 | 24.9 | 19.8 | 58 | 77 | 67.6 |
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July | 18.2 | 27.7 | 22.9 | 65 | 82 | 73.2 |
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August | 17.9 | 26.8 | 22.4 | 64 | 80 | 72.3 |
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September | 13.6 | 23.1 | 18.3 | 56 | 74 | 64.9 |
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October | 7.1 | 16.3 | 11.7 | 45 | 61 | 53.1 |
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November | 0.6 | 8.8 | 4.7 | 33 | 48 | 40.5 |
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December | -5 | 2.3 | -1.4 | 23 | 36 | 29.5 |
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Year | 5.2 | 14.1 | 9.6 | 41.4 | 57.4 | 49.3 |
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Precipitation amounts to 880 millimeters (34.6 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 45 mm (1.8 in) in the driest months (January, February) to 110 mm (4.3 in) in the wettest (June). Here is the average precipitation.
Milwaukee - Average precipitationMonth | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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January | 45 | 1.8 | 11 |
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February | 45 | 1.8 | 10 |
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March | 55 | 2.2 | 11 |
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April | 100 | 3.9 | 12 |
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May | 90 | 3.5 | 12 |
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June | 110 | 4.3 | 11 |
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July | 85 | 3.3 | 10 |
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August | 95 | 3.7 | 10 |
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September | 80 | 3.1 | 9 |
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October | 70 | 2.8 | 10 |
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November | 55 | 2.2 | 10 |
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December | 50 | 2 | 10 |
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Year | 880 | 34.6 | 125 |
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Winter, from late November to early March, is very cold. Snowfalls are frequent, and at times can be abundant. On average, 125 centimeters (49 inches) of snow fall per year. Typically, it snows from November to April.
Cold waves are intense, in fact, the temperature drops below -20 °C (-4 °F) almost every year. On average, there are 50 icing days (that is, on which the air temperature does not go above freezing), and that usually happens from November through March.
The record cold, -32.5 °C (-26.5 °F), was set in January 1982 and February 1996. In January 2019, the temperature dropped to -30.5 °C (-23 °F).
In 1976-77, the temperature remained consistently below freezing even during the day from December 26 to February 8.
However, there may be short periods when the temperature exceeds 10/12 °C (50/54 °F) even in the middle of winter.
Summer, from June to August, is hot and quite sunny, although thunderstorms can break out in the afternoon.
The heat is less consistent than in Chicago and the southern part of the Midwest, in fact there can be quite cool periods, with highs of 25 °C (77 °F) or less, even in the height of summer. However, there can sometimes be very hot periods. Typically, the temperature reaches 35 °C (95 °F) on the hottest days of the year, although the record is 39.5 °C (103 °F), recorded in August 1988, in July 1995 and in July 2012.
Spring and autumn, from mid-March to May and from September to mid-November, are contrasted seasons, with fairly frequent rains and sudden changes in temperature. However, there are also stable and pleasant periods. In spring, during sunny days, a fresh (or even cold) breeze blows from the lake in the afternoon, which is felt especially in the eastern districts of the city.
On average, there are around 2,485
sunshine hours per year. Therefore, even though the winter is cold and the summer is rainy, the sun shines for a good number of hours. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Milwaukee - Sunshine hoursMonth | Average | Total |
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January | 4.5 | 140 | February | 5.5 | 155 | March | 6 | 185 | April | 7 | 215 | May | 9 | 275 | June | 10 | 305 | July | 10.5 | 320 | August | 9 | 280 | September | 7 | 215 | October | 5.5 | 180 | November | 4 | 115 | December | 3.5 | 105 | Year | 6.8 | 2485 |
The temperature of
lake Michigan ranges between 1 °C (34 °F) and 20.5 °C (69 °F). In winter the lake can freeze. Here are the average lake temperatures.
Milwaukee - Lake temperatureMonth | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
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January | 2 | 36 | February | 1 | 34 | March | 1 | 34 | April | 2 | 36 | May | 2 | 35 | June | 4.5 | 40 | July | 14.5 | 58 | August | 20.5 | 69 | September | 16 | 61 | October | 9 | 48 | November | 5 | 41 | December | 1 | 34 | Year | 6.6 | 43.9 |
Best Time
The
best time to visit Milwaukee is from mid-May to the end of September. In the height of summer, i.e. from late June to late August, there can be very hot and sultry days, so this period can be excluded if you suffer from the heat. In May, especially in the first half of the month, it can still get a little cold.
Milwaukee - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -4.4 °C (24 °F), with a minimum of -8.2 °C (17.2 °F) and a maximum of -0.6 °C (30.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -20 °C (-4.5 °F). However, it dropped to -30.6 °C (-23.1 °F) in January 2019.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 10.5 °C (50.5 °F). However, it reached 16 °C (60.8 °F) in January 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
February is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -2.7 °C (27 °F), with a minimum of -6.7 °C (20 °F) and a maximum of 1.2 °C (34.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -17.5 °C (1 °F). However, it dropped to -32.3 °C (-26.1 °F) in February 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11.5 °C (53 °F). However, it reached 21.7 °C (71.1 °F) in February 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
March is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 2.5 °C (36 °F), with a minimum of -1.8 °C (28.7 °F) and a maximum of 6.8 °C (44.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12 °C (10 °F). However, it dropped to -21.1 °C (-6 °F) in March 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (66.5 °F). However, it reached 28.9 °C (84 °F) in March 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
April is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.9 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 3.2 °C (37.8 °F) and a maximum of 12.6 °C (54.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (25.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7.3 °C (18.9 °F) in April 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 31.1 °C (88 °F) in April 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
May is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 8.8 °C (47.8 °F) and a maximum of 19.2 °C (66.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1 °C (30.2 °F) in May 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (85.5 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in May 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19.8 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 14.7 °C (58.4 °F) and a maximum of 24.9 °C (76.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3 °C (37.4 °F) in June 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92 °F). However, it reached 37.8 °C (100 °F) in June 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 22.9 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 18.2 °C (64.7 °F) and a maximum of 27.7 °C (81.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it dropped to 8.3 °C (46.9 °F) in July 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 39.4 °C (102.9 °F) in July 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
August is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.4 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 17.9 °C (64.2 °F) and a maximum of 26.8 °C (80.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (55 °F). However, it dropped to 7.8 °C (46 °F) in August 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 36.7 °C (98.1 °F) in August 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
September is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.3 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 13.6 °C (56.4 °F) and a maximum of 23.1 °C (73.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in September 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in September 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.7 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 7.1 °C (44.7 °F) and a maximum of 16.3 °C (61.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31 °F). However, it dropped to -4.4 °C (24.1 °F) in October 2020.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, it reached 31 °C (87.8 °F) in October 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
November is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 4.7 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of 0.6 °C (33.1 °F) and a maximum of 8.8 °C (47.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7.5 °C (18 °F). However, it dropped to -12.8 °C (9 °F) in November 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it reached 25 °C (77 °F) in November 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
December is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -1.4 °C (30 °F), with a minimum of -5 °C (23 °F) and a maximum of 2.3 °C (36.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -16 °C (3.5 °F). However, it dropped to -22.2 °C (-8 °F) in December 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12 °C (54 °F). However, it reached 20 °C (68 °F) in December 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 5 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).