Southern Wisconsin Records Rare October Heat Wave with Widespread Impacts

A significant heat wave is impacting Wisconsin and parts of the Great Lakes region, bringing unusually warm temperatures that feel more like summer than fall. Madison and surrounding areas have set new daily high temperature records, with temperatures 20–25 degrees above normal, reaching into the upper 80s and even near 90 degrees in some locations. This warmth has extended the outdoor season for places like family pools in Sun Prairie, which are staying open later than usual. Climate experts note that the region's fall temperatures have steadily warmed by about three degrees since 1950, contributing to a trend where eight of Madison's ten hottest Septembers occurred since 2000, and warmer autumns are becoming typical. The heat wave also brings challenges, such as health risks for farmers working in hotter, more humid conditions and ecological impacts like delayed lake turnover. Forecasts predict this warm spell may persist for several days before a cold front arrives early next week, bringing cooler temperatures and rain chances.