Very Dry and Warm across Southern Wisconsin in September

Southern Wisconsin experienced dry and warm weather for much of the month of September. Multiple tropical disturbances affecting the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico contributed to a nearly stationary weather pattern which brought persistent warm and dry conditions to much of the eastern U.S., and cooler, unsettled weather to the northern Plains and western U.S.

September warmth

The below images depict the average September temperature across the upper midwest and western Great Lakes, and its departure from the average:

Much of Wisconsin experienced an average temperature in the low to mid 60s, which was 2 to 3 degrees above the normal for the month. Milwaukee had an average temperature of 67.2 degrees, which was the 12th warmest September on record.

There were very few days when significant rainfall occurred across southern Wisconsin in September as well. Madison received just over one half inch (0.55") of rain during the month, which was 2.58" below the normal rainfall usually received during the month. This low rainfall amount broke the top ten driest Septembers on record in Madison (8th driest).

Milwaukee received just under nine tenths of an inch (0.89"), which was 2.33" below normal for September. This was the sixteenth driest September on record in Milwaukee.

Here is an estimate of total rainfall across the region for the month:

While many areas of southern Wisconsin received less than one inch of rainfall, much of central and northern Wisconsin received 2 to 4 inches. A few northwest locations topped the 5 inch mark.

The below images depict the monthly precipitation across the region as well as the departure from normal:

Portions of southern Wisconsin received less than 25 percent of normal precipitation for the month.

The monthly summaries for Madison and Milwaukee are available here.

National Weather Service - Milwaukee/Sullivan