Climate of Milwaukee facts for kids

Milwaukee has a special kind of weather called a humid continental climate. This means it has four clear seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The weather can change a lot, even in a short time!

The huge Lake Michigan right next to the city plays a big role in Milwaukee's weather. It can make the climate a bit different depending on how close you are to the lake. Also, the city itself can create an "urban heat island effect". This means the city can stay a bit warmer in winter, but it might feel cooler in spring and summer compared to areas outside the city.

Milwaukee's Weather Overview

Temperatures in Milwaukee

Milwaukee's weather can change quickly, especially in spring and autumn. This is typical for a continental climate.

Warm and Cold Months

The warmest month in Milwaukee is usually July. The average high temperature then is about 81 °F (27 °C), and it cools down to around 63 °F (17 °C) at night.

January is the coldest month. The average high temperature is only 28 °F (-2 °C). At night, it gets even colder, averaging 16 °F (-8 °C).

Record Temperatures

The hottest temperature ever recorded in Milwaukee was 105 °F (41 °C). This happened on July 24, 1935.

The coldest temperature ever recorded was -26 °F (-32 °C). This happened twice: on January 17, 1982, and again on February 4, 1996. The first time, January 17, 1982, was known as "Cold Sunday" because it was extremely cold in many parts of the United States.

Precipitation in Milwaukee

Milwaukee gets different kinds of precipitation (rain, snow, etc.) throughout the year. The amount also changes.

Rain and Snow

While rain can fall any time of year, it's pretty rare during the winter months. Snow usually falls from late November until early March. Sometimes, snow can even fall as early as late September or as late as the end of May!

When the weather is changing between winter and other seasons, you might see mixed types of precipitation. This can include sleet, ice, and freezing rain. Big ice storms are not common in Milwaukee. These mixed types of weather usually happen in November and March.

On average, Milwaukee gets about 34.81 inches (884.2 mm) of precipitation each year. The yearly average snowfall is about 52.4 inches (133 cm).

Lake-Effect Snow

Milwaukee gets more snow than cities a bit further inland because of something called lake-effect snow. This happens when cold air blows over the warmer waters of Lake Michigan. The lake adds moisture to the air, which then turns into snow when it reaches the land.

Even though winds from the east are not the most common, they can bring heavy snowfall to Milwaukee. This happens when certain storm systems, called "panhandle hook" systems, move northeast.

Cities on the eastern side of Lake Michigan get even more snow. This is because the more common west or northwest winds blow across the lake and bring lots of snow to their side.

Wet and Dry Months

August is usually the wettest month, with about 4.03 inches (102 mm) of precipitation. Most of this is rainfall. Long periods of rain are not common in summer. They usually happen more in April or October.

From May to September, thunderstorms are the main way Milwaukee gets rain. Milwaukee also has a long tornado season from late March to early June. However, severe weather and tornadoes happen more often in areas west of the city, further inland.

February is the driest month, with only about 1.65 inches (41.9 mm) of precipitation. This is almost always light, fluffy snow. This type of snow comes from weather systems called "Alberta clippers," which bring cold, dry air.