Milwaukee, Madison Could Set New Record High Temperatures

NWS forecasts highs up to 60 degrees on Presidents' Day, potentially surpassing century-old records.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The National Weather Service predicts that Milwaukee and Madison could reach record-high temperatures on Monday, February 16th, with highs potentially reaching 60 degrees. This would surpass the previous records of 56 degrees in Milwaukee (set in 1921) and 57 degrees in Madison (set in 1981).

Why it matters

Unseasonably warm weather in the middle of February is highly unusual for Wisconsin, and could have impacts on the local environment, infrastructure, and public safety. However, the warm spell is expected to be short-lived, with colder temperatures and snow returning by the end of the week.

The details

The warmer temperatures are being driven by southwesterly winds that are pushing milder air over Lake Michigan. NWS meteorologist Taylor Patterson says the longer these winds persist, the more likely Milwaukee and Madison will be able to break or tie their previous record highs. While this week's temperatures will be well above average, they still fall short of the all-time February highs set in 2024 when Madison reached 70 degrees and Milwaukee hit 74.

  • The record high temperature in Milwaukee on February 16th was 56 degrees, set in 1921.
  • The record high temperature in Madison on February 16th was 57 degrees, set in 1981.
  • On February 27, 2024, Madison hit 70 degrees and Milwaukee reached 74 degrees, setting new all-time February highs.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing weather-related warnings and advisories.

Taylor Patterson

A meteorologist with the National Weather Service who provided analysis and forecasts for the potential record-breaking temperatures.

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What they’re saying

“The longer that winds stay southwesterly and the stronger they are, the more likely that Milwaukee may even be able to tie or potentially break that 56-degree record.”

— Taylor Patterson, Meteorologist (jsonline.com)

What’s next

The NWS will continue to monitor the weather conditions and provide updates on whether Milwaukee and Madison are able to break their previous record high temperatures on February 16th.

The takeaway

This unseasonably warm weather in the middle of February is a stark reminder of the impacts of climate change, as record-breaking temperatures become more common even in historically cold-weather regions like Wisconsin. While the warm spell will be short-lived, it highlights the need for communities to prepare for more extreme and unpredictable weather patterns in the years ahead.