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Southern Wisconsin could see some thunderstorms in the afternoon on a rainy Thursday, as temperatures drop after the four warmest days of the year, according to forecasters.
Highs recorded at the Dane County Regional Airport starting Sunday have been 75, 76, 79 and 78, but much cooler weather is forecast for the next week.
In Madison on Thursday, storms may mix in with the showers after 1 p.m. and the rain could total a quarter- to half-inch, with a high near 64 and southeast winds at 10 to 15 miles per hour, the National Weather Service said.
Overnight, there’s a 40% chance for showers, mainly after 2 a.m., as the low falls to around 47.
There’s an 80% chance for showers on Friday, with a tenth to a quarter of an inch of rain possible, a high near 56 and southwest winds around 10 mph.
Rain fell across parts of Iowa, Illinois and Indiana on April 7.
Overnight Friday into Saturday, there’s a 60% chance for showers, with less than a tenth of an inch of rain possible, as the low falls to around 44.
The Weather Service said rain chances continue at 30% Saturday and Saturday night, 20% Sunday, 20% Monday, and 20% Tuesday night.
Skies over Madison should be mostly cloudy Saturday, partly sunny Sunday, mostly sunny Monday, and partly sunny Tuesday and Wednesday, with highs near 56, 58, 54, 51 and 52, and lows Saturday night through Tuesday night around 45, 44, 37 and 36.
The flowers can be impacted by temperature, and if it warms up in Georgia, experts say they’ll last only a few more weeks.
27 Storm Track meteorologist Max Tsaparis forecasts scattered showers Thursday and Thursday night, scattered, lighter showers on Friday, possible rain Friday night, chances for rain Saturday evening and night, a chance for morning rain Sunday, and light rain possible Monday.
Tsaparis said highs for Madison Thursday through Wednesday should be near 64, 57, 57, 59, 57, 48 and 52, and overnight lows around 47, 42, 44, 42, 36 and 30.
Wednesday’s high in Madison was 78 at 12:18 p.m., 24 degrees above the normal high and 4 degrees below the record high of 82 for April 7, set in 1871.
Wednesday’s low in Madison was 55 at 12:52 a.m., 22 degrees above the normal low and 55 degrees above the record low of zero for April 7, set in 1982.
State Farm paid more than $3 billion in insurance claims for hail damage in 2020. Agents say preparation before storms can save you time and money.
Officially, 0.12 inches of precipitation was recorded at the Dane County Regional Airport on Wednesday, boosting Madison’s April precipitation total (rain plus snow converted to liquid) to 0.12 inches, 0.61 inches below normal. The meteorological spring (March through May) total rose to 1.53 inches, 1.4 inches below normal. The 2021 total rose to 3.66 inches, 1.95 inches below normal.
Madison’s record precipitation for April 7 is 1.19 inches in 1907.
With no snow on Wednesday, Madison’s April total stayed at zero, 1 inch below normal. The meteorological spring total stayed at 2 inches, 6 inches below normal. For the snow season (since July 1), Madison has received 45.2 inches, 3.9 inches below normal.
Madison’s record snowfall for April 7 is 4 inches in 1907.
Photos: Remembering huge snowstorm that hit Madison in April 1973
Photos: Remembering huge snowstorm that hit Madison in April 1973
Front page of the Wisconsin State Journal, April 10, 1973
April 1973 snowfall
Scenes from a powerful spring storm on April 10, 1973.
April 1973 snowfall
Wind-whipped pedestrians, slipping cars and heavy snow clogged Capitol Square during record snowfall April 10, 1973.
April 1973 snowfall
Scenes from a powerful spring snowstorm on April 10, 1973.
April 1973 snowfall
Scenes from a powerful spring snowstorm on April 10, 1973 in Madison.
April 1973 snowfall
Scenes from a powerful spring snowstorm on April 10, 1973, in Madison.
April 1973 snowfall
Scenes from a powerful spring snowstorm on April 10, 1973, in Madison.
April 1973 snowfall
Scenes from a powerful spring snowstorm on April 10, 1973, in Madison.
April 1973 snowfall
Scenes from a powerful spring snowstorm on April 10, 1973, in Madison.
April 1973 snowfall
James Muehl, a student at Madison Area Technical College, found himself straddling a snowdrift in April 1973 as he walked to class at MATC Technical Center, 2125 Commercial Ave. The school held classes during the snowstorm, but attendance was severely reduced.
April 1973 snowfall
Snowdrifts pile high as a spring storm smothers Downtown Madison in April 1973.
April 1973 snowfall
Cars buried along East Gorham Street in Madison on April 10, 1973.
Jeff Richgels
Online Reporter/Producer for Wisconsin State Journal
