MADISON (WKOW) - With another decade complete, we analyze how southern Wisconsin's climate has changed over the years.

2019 RECAP

Our average temp was 46.1°, 0.5° below the 30-year normal. The Upper Midwest is one of of the few places on earth with below average temps this year.



Precipitation was nearly a foot above average with 46.4", making it the fifth wettest year on record!



We received 66.5" of snow this calendar year, making it the tenth snowiest on record!

CLIMATE CHANGE

Our climate is changing due to man-made effects. Increased carbon emissions have caused our earth to warm since the Industrial Revolution.

Those gases stay in our atmosphere and trap more heat from the sun, in a process called the greenhouse effect.



Globally, January through November 2019 has been the 2nd hottest on record, according to a climate report from NOAA.

9/10 warmest years on record occurred in this past decade

MADISON THROUGH THE DECADES

Our Storm Track meteorologists found the average temperature in southern Wisconsin has increased by more than 1°F since records began in 1890.

Madison's average temp by decade (°F): 2010s: 47.6°, 2000s: 47.0°, 1990s: 46.9°, 1980s: 45.8°, 1970s: 45.2°, 1960s: 44.9°, 1950s: 46.4°, 1940s: 46.9°, 1930s: 47.6°, 1920s: 46.1°, 1910s, 45.7°, 1900s: 45.7°, 1890s: 45.9°, 1880: 45.3°, 1870s: 46.1°

Precipitation amounts have increased, too. Despite a drought in 2012, this was still the wettest decade on record with nearly 400" of precipitation!

Madison's precipitation by decade (to the nearest inch): 2010s: 396", 2000s: 364" 1990s: 350", 1980s: 316", 1970s: 313", 1960s: 299", 1950s: 315", 1940s: 295", 1930s: 289", 1920s: 318", 1910s, 319", 1900s: 291", 1890s: 279"

Snow amounts have also increased. This may seem counter-intuitive as our climate warms. But, in general, since our moisture has gone up, so have our snow totals.