We know the question on your mind, Madisonians — how cold is it going to get?

Thanks to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center, we know what temperatures and precipitation trends to expect in our city for December, January, and February.

While exact weather conditions typically can’t be predicted more than a week in advance, here’s a seasonal outlook to help you prepare for what winter will bring.

Reminder: The first day of winter is on Saturday, Dec. 21.

Looks like Madison's temps will be about as cold as they always are this winter. | Screenshot via NOAA Climate Prediction Center

Temperature

It's a coin toss. This winter, Madison has an equal chance of temperatures being higher than normal or lower than normal.

Precipitation

Expect slightly more precipitation. Madison has a 33-40% chance of seeing below higher than average snow and rainfall amounts this winter.

Decem-brrrr

Things have officially gotten cold by the time December rolls around with average highs just touching 33° and lows dipping down to 15°. On the winter solstice (or the darkest day of the year), we'll get just under nine hours of daylight.

January is just cold

January is our coldest month of the year with average highs of 27° and lows of 8°... yikes. This is also our snowiest month of the year with an average 13.7 inches of the powdery stuff. Fun fact: Madison gets ~51.8 inches of snow each year.

Frozen in February

Things start to warm back up just a hair with average highs landing at 32° and average lows at 12° — you'll obviously still want to keep a white knuckle grip on your coats, though.

Safety tips

Our winters can be intense — especially for folks who just moved to town from other areas of the country. Here are some safety tips for those looking to navigate our frosts safely.

Know your winter road rules in case of a snow emergency.
Follow these tips for keeping your body + mind healthy during the winter.
Don't forget to keep your pets nice and warm, too.