Madison Future Trends
Wisconsin · US States · Trend-based projections to 2050
This page uses Madison's own 50 year weather record to project one trend line forward to 2030, 2040 and 2050, with a Best and Worst scenario range built from the trend's own statistical uncertainty. For where that trend has already gone, see the Climate Capitals Trends, or for current and historical day-to-day weather, see Meteo Capital Cities. See how this trend ranks against every other world capital on the Climate Shift Index.Compare its projection against all 195 world capitals on the full interactive map.
Data through August 4, 2026.
Frequently asked questions about Madison's projected trends
How warm will Madison be in 2050?
Extrapolated from Madison's own record since 1976, the average daytime high in 2050 works out at roughly 14.6°C, up 1.0°C from 2025. This is a straight-line projection of measured weather data, not a climate model or a scenario-based forecast.
How certain is the temperature projection for Madison?
The 2050 range runs from 13.8°C to 15.4°C. That spread comes from the 95% confidence interval on the trend line's own slope, so the noisier Madison's record, the wider the band. The trend accounts for 19% of the variation between years; the rest is ordinary year-to-year swing.
How many days above 30°C will Madison get in 2050?
The trend line lands on roughly 19 days above 30°C a year in 2050, against 13 in 2025. These are the days that set peak cooling demand, so this figure matters more for grid planning and building design than the annual average above.
Will Madison still get frost in 2050?
The trend line lands on roughly 119 frost days a year in 2050, against 121 in 2025. Fewer frost days sounds pleasant, but it also shortens the natural cold period plants and pest control rely on.
Is Madison getting wetter or drier by 2050?
The trend line lands on roughly 908mm of precipitation a year in 2050, against 748mm in 2025, so wetter. An annual total says little about distribution though: the same rainfall can arrive in shorter, harder bursts, and that is what loads drains and water storage.
Will Madison get more sunshine by 2050?
The trend line lands on roughly 3103 sunshine hours a year in 2050, against 3091 in 2025, so more sun. Sunshine hours bear directly on rooftop solar yield, though heat works against it at the same time: a panel loses efficiency at high temperatures.
