WEATHER / CLIMATE
CLIMATE IN MADISON
FALL (September, October, and early November): usually a pleasant season, with many beautiful days and colorful foliage. Often the days are warm and the nights are cool. Expect some rain. Sometimes October and November can be quite cold.
WINTER (late November, December, January, February, and March): months of cold and snow. Temperatures are frequently below freezing (32° Fahrenheit, 0° Celsius), and an average winter has 26 days with temperatures of 0° F/-18° C, and below. January is normally the coldest month. Snow often covers the ground for long periods from December through March.
SPRING (April, May, early June): Madison is particularly beautiful during the spring months. The weather grows warmer and there may be frequent rain showers.
SUMMER (late June, July, August): Pleasant, with occasional periods of extreme heat or high humidity. The average summer has about ten days with temperatures above 90° F/32° C.
WINTER
Sometimes, people new to a cold climate think they must remain indoors as much as possible in cold winter weather. You will find that if you dress properly, you can enjoy being out of doors in the winter. For winter enthusiasts, Hoofers sponsors winter sporting events; visit their website at http://www.hoofers.org/.
It is important to dress warmly during the winter. You may borrow a warm coat from MFIS for a small fee (see MFIS). On cold days, wear mittens and a hat or ear muffs. Woolen socks and pile-lined shoes or boots keep the feet warm, waterproof boots or rubbers keep them dry. In the coldest weather, wear layers of clothing, starting with long underwear.
If interested, you may loan from ISS a brief video, "The Other Side of Winter", about dealing with winter. It describes terms commonly known to people from colder climates, such as hypothermia, wind chill, and frost bite. The video also provides tips for dressing warmly and shares ideas for enjoying winter.
Wind chill: The "Wind Chill Factor" describes how cold it actually feels outside when low temperatures combine with the wind. For example, if the wind is blowing at 20 miles per hour and the air temperature is 34° F, it might actually feel like it's -38° F. Whenever there is a wind chill factor, be sure to cover all exposed skin, as you will be especially susceptible to frostbite.
If you're outside in extreme cold and have not dressed properly, you might get frostbite on any exposed skin, e.g on nose, ears, hands and feet. A frostbitten area is a pale color that is cold to the touch and has no feeling. If you think you have frostbite, see a doctor immediately. Do not rub the area or run hot water over it: bathe the area in water that is at room temperature. To prevent frostbite, keep hands, feet and ears warm.
In the winter, the hot dry air of houses can cause dry skin, in particular dry nose membranes and chapped lips. To treat chapped lips, you can purchase a lipbalm. Adding humidity to your living area will also make you more comfortable.
Icy sidewalks can be dangerous; be sure to wear boots with soles that provide traction. Ice covering the lakes in the Madison area may not be safe to walk on; use caution. When driving on icy roads in the winter, beware of "black ice." This is ice that you can't see on the road. It can cause you to go into a "skid," or lose control of your car. If this happens, do not step on the brakes.
SUMMER
The heat index measures the relative effect of high temperature and humidity on human skin. In Wisconsin summers, high humidity makes it feel hotter than the thermometer reading. For example, when the temperature is 90° F, and relative humidity is 60%, the heat index will be 102° F.
Water sports are a good way of cooling down. You can swim in the Madison lakes, but for safety it is recommended that you swim only at beaches or pools when a lifeguard is present. You can learn to swim at the UW-Madison through the Physical Education elective program, at the YMCA or YWCA, and at certain Madison public schools.
Be cautious when boating on the lakes. Storms rise quickly on Madison lakes, sometimes with offshore winds, which make it difficult to return to land. Ask the Hoofer's Patrol at the Memorial Union (262-1630) how to identify their storm warnings. Be sure you know the location of the life preservers — law requires one for each boater. Hoofers (http://www.hoofers.org/.) at the Memorial Union offers boating instruction. Summer programs jointly sponsored by the Madison Parks Department and the Madison Public Schools also offer boating safety instruction classes. Call 266-6070 for additional information.
Most buildings (classrooms, stores) are air conditioned, so they will feel much colder than the outside air. Take a jacket or sweatshirt with you if you plan to spend longer periods of time inside.
Tornadoes are violent windstorms that occur during the spring and summer months. You might hear a "tornado watch" or a "tornado warning" on the radio or TV. Tornado Watch means tornadoes are expected to develop. Tornado Warning means that a tornado has actually been sighted. You will hear a warning siren, a long wail that remains at its highest pitch for several minutes. (You will hear sirens being tested at noon on the first Wednesday of each month, October through March, and the first and third Wednesday, April through September.) If you hear a tornado watch announcement or a tornado warning siren, listen to the radio or TV stations for further information. In the unlikely event that you are threatened by a tornado, take shelter away from windows, preferably in a basement. If you are outside, lie in a ditch. It is very dangerous to be in an automobile or a mobile home during a tornado. You can pick up a brochure describing Tornado Safety Procedures at the MFIS office.
Another summer hazard is Lyme Disease. Lyme disease is a bacterial illness that can cause serious health problems if it is not treated promptly. In the Midwest, the disease is transmitted to people and animals by the bite of the tiny deer tick. Prevent Lyme disease by routinely checking for ticks after being outdoors. Wear light colored clothing, which makes ticks easier to find. Be sure to check your pets, too. Tuck pants into boots or socks; wear long-sleeved shirts, buttoned at the cuff, apply tick/insect repellant to clothing. For more information, pick up a brochure on Lyme disease at the MFIS office.
Mosquitoes love Wisconsin in summer, particularly areas around lakes. Use insect repellant.