Next 12 Hours
A November-style heat wave will continue with highs possibly cracking 70 through next Monday for southern Wisconsin, according to forecasters.
Madison hasn’t set a record yet, but Milwaukee tied its record for Nov. 4 at 73 on Wednesday, the National Weather Service said. It was 69 in Madison, a bit shy of the record of 72 set in 2008.
The record highs for Madison for Nov. 5 (Thursday) through Nov. 9 (Monday) are 71 in 2008, 71 in 2016, 76 in 2015, 74 in 1999, and 73 in 1999, according to the National Weather Service.
The heat wave — by November standards — is enabled by the jet stream flattening out and taking on a more west-to-east configuration across the northern U.S., AccuWeather said.
In Madison on Thursday, look for skies turning sunny with a high near 70 and west winds at 5 to 10 mph, the Weather Service said.
After an overnight low around 44, Friday should be sunny, with a high near 70 and south winds at 5 to 10 mph.
After a low overnight Friday into Saturday around 52, Saturday should be sunny, with a high near 70 and south winds at 10 to 15 mph.
The Weather Service said chances for showers return at 20% Monday after noon, 60% Monday night and Tuesday, and 50% Tuesday night.
Skies over Madison should be mostly sunny Sunday, partly sunny Monday, mostly cloudy Tuesday, and mostly sunny Wednesday, with highs near 70, 71, 50 and 40, and lows Saturday night through Tuesday night around 52, 58, 45 and 32.
27 Storm Track meteorologist Max Tsaparis forecasts warm and dry weather with plenty of sunshine through the weekend, with a few showers possible Monday, showers Monday night, and scattered showers Tuesday.
Tsaparis said highs for Madison Thursday through Wednesday should be near 69, 70, 69, 70, 70, 50 and 44, and overnight lows around 48, 52, 53, 57, 40 and 36.
Wednesday’s high in Madison was 69 at 3:21 p.m., 18 degrees above the normal high and 3 degrees below the record high of 72 for Nov. 4, set in 2008.
Wednesday’s low in Madison was 44 at 1:22 a.m., 11 degrees above the normal low and 36 degrees above the record low of 8 for Nov. 4, set in 1951.
No precipitation was recorded at the Dane County Regional Airport on Wednesday, leaving Madison’s November precipitation total (rain plus snow converted to liquid) at a trace, 0.33 inches below normal. For meteorological fall (September through November), Madison has received 6.79 inches of precipitation, 0.93 inches above normal. For the year, Madison has received 35.94 inches of precipitation, 5.26 inches above normal.
Madison’s record precipitation for Nov. 4 is 1.61 inches in 2003.
With no snow on Wednesday, Madison’s November total stayed at a trace, 0.2 inches below normal. For meteorological fall (September through November) and the snow season (since July 1), Madison’s total stayed at 0.1 inches, 0.6 inches below normal.
Madison’s record snowfall for Nov. 4 is 0.7 inches in 1884.
Photos: Remembering Wisconsin's deadliest tornado in 1899
New Richmond tornado 1899
Elevated view of New Richmond after the tornado hit on June 12, 1899. Many people are gathered around the railroad tracks and a few others are seen among the ruins of homes and businesses. The Willow River is visible in the foreground.
New Richmond tornado 1899
People stand in the rubble of the Ward S. Williams Co. stone block building after a deadly tornado hit New Richmond.
New Richmond tornado 1899
People working with the relief effort in the aftermath of a tornado in New Richmond in 1899. Boxes of supplies are piled near a man in the foreground, and a man holds a bundle in a cart parked on the left. In the background, people are walking among the debris.
New Richmond tornado 1899
A woman and her young daughter stand in a yard examining a house in the aftermath of the New Richmond tornado. The house has one entire side missing.
New Richmond tornado 1899
A small group of women and children observe the aftermath of the New Richmond tornado.
New Richmond tornado 1899
View over water, perhaps Hatfield Lake, of houses damaged and demolished in the New Richmond tornado. Floating at the edge of the lake near an eroded bank are numerous pieces of debris. A number of tents for the relief effort are on the left.
New Richmond tornado 1899
A group of people looks at the debris left by the New Richmond tornado from a covered horse-drawn carriage. In the foreground, the roof of a house lies on the ground.
New Richmond tornado 1899
A small group of men and women stand surrounded by the debris from the New Richmond tornado. Storm-damaged houses and relief workers are visible in the background.
New Richmond tornado 1899
The still smoldering foundation of a brick building continues to burn in the wake of a tornado that swept through New Richmond in 1899.
Front page of the Minneapolis Tribune on June 13, 1899
The front page of the Minneapolis Tribune on June 13, 1899, blares news of the deadly New Richmond tornado. New Richmond is about 42 miles northeast of Minneapolis.
New Richmond tornado 1899
Men near a heavily damaged home look at a tree that was stripped of its bark by the tornado that hit New Richmond in 1899. It also appears to have a piece of metal embedded in it.
New Richmond tornado 1899
An elevated view over water, possibly Hatfield Lake, shows damage to houses and property and people gathered in groups around town.
New Richmond tornado 1899
A crowd gathers amid debris left in the wake of a devastating tornado. Trees have been stripped of limbs and bar, and houses have been flattened.
New Richmond tornado 1899
Men work amid the rubble of lumber, bricks and stone left by the tornado.
New Richmond tornado 1899
Men work in the remains of a house that was demolished by the tornado that hit New Richmond in 1899.
Wisconsin State Journal front page June 13, 1899
The front page of the State Journal from June 13, 1899, recounts the story of the deadly tornado. The June 14 edition talked about the "line of funerals," with the dead carried to their graves in grocers' wagons.
Jeff Richgels
Online Reporter/Producer for Wisconsin State Journal
