Madison snowstorms

Madison’s snow record here is the Madison airport station, with daily snowfall reports since 1939. Over its 87 complete winters the middle value is 43 in of snow a winter. The biggest storm on record there brought 18.7 in over Jan. 31 – Feb. 2, 2011.

This winter (2026-27) so far: 0 in, no 1-inch day yet.

Biggest storms

Dates	Total
Jan. 31 – Feb. 2, 2011	18.7 in
Jan. 28–31, 1947Snowstorm of Jan. 27–31, 1947	18.1 in
Dec. 10–13, 1970	17.6 in
Dec. 3, 1990	17.3 in
Apr. 8–11, 1973	16.8 in
Dec. 18–20, 2012	16.6 in
Jan. 9–12, 2024	16.6 in
Feb. 23–26, 2007Snowstorm of Feb. 22–27, 2007	16.5 in
Dec. 7–9, 2009Snowstorm of Dec. 7–11, 2009	15.7 in
Feb. 22–23, 1994	15.4 in
Jan. 25–27, 1996	15 in
Nov. 28 – Dec. 1, 1985Snowstorm of Nov. 28 – Dec. 2, 1985	15 in
Mar. 18–19, 1971	14.5 in
Dec. 19–20, 2008	13.7 in
Feb. 5–6, 2008	13.4 in

A storm here is a run of days with measurable snow, at most four days. A day with under half an inch between two snowier days separates two storms; longer snowy spells are split into their snowiest four days.

Every winter

Inches of snow each winter (July to June). Winters with gaps in the record are left out.

Snowiest winters

2007-08101.6 in
1978-7976.1 in
1993-9474 in
2010-1173.3 in
1985-8672.5 in

Least snowy winters

1967-6812.8 in
1953-5420.6 in
1943-4421 in
1957-5822 in
1960-6122.2 in

Earliest first 6-inch storms

October 28, 20192019-20
November 8, 19851985-86
November 18, 19861986-87
November 27, 19951995-96
November 28, 19421942-43

Where to ski near Madison

Groomed cross-country venues from XC Index, by distance.

Station: GHCN-Daily USW00014837, Madison airport. Last full winter: 2025-26.