Milwaukee - Coldest Decades

The coldest decades on record are ranked here for Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The lists include decades when Milwaukee had the lowest average temperatures, the fewest hot days and the most cold days. These extremes are for temperatures observed at Mitchell International Airport near downtown Milwaukee and cover eight decades, from the 1940s to the 2010s.

That is when Milwaukee had weather measurements that are consistent and complete enough to compare decades. Each decade comprises a standard 10-year range. For instance, the 1990s includes measurements from Jan 1, 1990 to Dec 31, 1999. Links to the data behind these lists are in the References section on this page.

Coolest High Temperatures

Average daily maximum temperature at Milwaukee
High °F Decade High °C
Lowest 54.0 1970s 12.2
Runner-up 54.6 1960s 12.6

Coldest Low Temperatures

Average daily minimum temperature at Milwaukee
Low °F Decade Low °C
Lowest 36.9 1960s 2.7
Runner-up 37.9 1970s 3.3

Fewest Warm Days

Total days per year on average when Milwaukee had temperatures of at least 70 °F (21 °C)
Days Decade
Lowest 111 1970s
Runner-up 114 1980s, 1960s

Fewest Hot Days

Total days per year on average when Milwaukee had temperatures of at least 90 °F (32 °C)
Days Decade
Lowest 7 2000s
Runner-up 8 1970s, 1960s

Most Freezing Days

Total days per year on average when Milwaukee had temperatures of 32 °F (0 °C) or lower
Days Decade
Highest 149 1960s
Runner-up 143 1950s

Most Cold Days

Total days per year on average when Milwaukee had temperatures of 0 °F (-18 °C) or lower
Days Decade
Highest 16 1970s
Runner-up 15 1960s
References

Current Results. 2020. Milwaukee WI Temperature Averages by Decade

Jay Lawrimore, Ron Ray, Scott Applequist, Bryant Korzeniewski, Matthew Menne. 2016. Global Summary of the Year, Version 1.0. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.

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