2024 Was Warmest Year On Record In Milwaukee: WI Weather

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee shattered climate records in 2024, becoming the warmest year in the city’s history with an average temperature of 52.8 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

This average breaks the previous record of 52.2 degrees set just last year in 2023, signaling a trend of rising temperatures in the region.

Warm Temperatures Dominate

The highest temperature recorded in Milwaukee this year was 94 degrees, reached during three separate heat waves in June and August. On the colder end, temperatures dipped to -5 degrees on January 15 and 16.

Across the board, the region experienced above-average temperatures. The average high was 60.6 degrees, surpassing the historical norm by 3.2 degrees, while the average low of 45 degrees exceeded the usual figure by 3.7 degrees.

The city’s yearly average temperature was 3.5 degrees above what is historically "normal"

Meanwhile, Madison also saw a significant temperature increase. The state capital recorded its second-warmest year with an average temperature of 50.9 degrees, just shy of the all-time record set in 2012 (51.3 degrees).

Precipitation: A Mixed Bag

Milwaukee’s rainfall totaled 38.75 inches in 2024, slightly above the average of 34.57 inches, making it a wetter-than-normal year.

Snowfall, however, came up short with only 37.0 inches, an 11.7-inch deficit from the normal 48.7 inches.

In Madison, the story was similar yet more extreme. The city saw 48.47 inches of rainfall—over 11 inches above the norm—making it the fourth-wettest year ever recorded.

Snowfall in Madison was below average at 45.1 inches, a 6.7-inch shortfall compared to typical years.

A Broader Trend

With two consecutive record-breaking years, Milwaukee’s climate data highlights ongoing shifts that could have long-term implications for the region. Warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are becoming more common, potentially influencing everything from agriculture to urban infrastructure.