Wisconsin experienced a weather rollercoaster during the spring season, with precipitation and temperature exhibiting significant fluctuations. Despite the statewide spring precipitation totaling 90% of the 30-year normal, there was a notable divide between the relatively wetter north and the considerably drier south. This placed the overall precipitation level as the 68th wettest in the 129-year record, indicating a typical season. However, the real story lies in the exceptional variability, characterized by intense rainfall and snowfall followed by near-record precipitation deficits.
In terms of temperatures, May 2023 stood out with an average of 56.9 degrees Fahrenheit, marking it as 1.5 degrees warmer than normal. While not exceptionally unusual, the dry air during May contributed to intense daytime heating and significant nighttime cooling. Daytime highs were impressively 2.6 Fahrenheit degrees warmer than normal, whereas nighttime lows were only slightly above average, with some areas even experiencing cooler temperatures. Northwestern Wisconsin emerged as the region with the most pronounced warmth and aridity, although the majority of the state encountered warmer-than-normal daytime highs.
Throughout the entire spring season, Wisconsin's average temperature aligned precisely with the 1991-2020 normal of 43 degrees. Daily average and minimum temperatures remained within a narrow range of 1 Fahrenheit degree of normal for most regions, while the southern third of the state observed average daily maximum temperatures that ranged from 1 to 2 degrees above normal.
For more detailed information, visit https://www.aos.wisc.edu/
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Categories: Wisconsin, Weather