Madison, Wisconsin – January 2026 ranked among the colder and snowier months on record, affecting travel corridors near US-151 and the Beltline.
According to a Monday post from the National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan, Madison recorded its 57th coldest January and 32nd snowiest January since record-keeping began, while Milwaukee experienced its 51st coldest and snowiest January on record, impacting areas near Interstate 94 and Interstate 43.
In Madison, the highest temperature reached 56 degrees on Jan. 6, while the coldest low dropped to minus 19 degrees on Jan. 24. The city’s average January temperature was 16.2 degrees, approximately 3.2 degrees below normal. Total snowfall measured 15.0 inches, exceeding the monthly average of 13.7 inches.
Milwaukee saw a January high of 59 degrees on Jan. 9, with the lowest temperature falling to minus 15 degrees on Jan. 23. The average monthly temperature was 19.3 degrees, nearly 4.7 degrees below normal. Snowfall totaled 14.5 inches, closely matching the city’s seasonal average.
The colder-than-normal conditions contributed to periodic slick travel conditions along major commuting routes, including I-94, I-43, and US-151, particularly during overnight and early morning hours.
While liquid precipitation totals were near normal in both cities, the sustained cold helped preserve snowpack throughout much of the month.
The data reflects long-term climatological tracking and does not indicate a forecast trend.
For commuters, students, and early-shift workers, January’s conditions meant increased winter travel caution across Dane and Milwaukee counties.
