The City of Madison
Introduction to Madison
Located in Madison, the campus spreads out along Lake Mendota, encompassing wooded hills, friendly shores and lively city streets.
Madison—the state’s capital city with a population of 208,000—offers the perfect combination of natural beauty, stimulating cultural offerings, outdoor recreation, distinctive restaurants, unique shops and vibrant nightlife.
The city tops many “best” lists, including:
- Best City in the Nation for Business and Careers, Forbes, 2004
- Best College Sports Town, Sports Illustrated on Campus, 2003
- Best Small City to Live, Men’s Journal, 2004
- Best Places to Live and Work, BestJobsUSA.com, 2003
- Best Small City for Creativity, Washington Monthly, 2002
The university’s location in south central Wisconsin makes for convenient access to Milwaukee (80 miles), Chicago (150 miles) and Minneapolis (270 miles). Daily buses serve all three cities.
Weather in Madison
Madison is located in a temperate climate zone and has four distinct seasons—spring, summer, fall and winter. During the warmest months of June, July and August, high temperatures average 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 Celsius). Winters are cold with moderate snowfall. In the middle of winter, high temperatures average 25 degrees Fahrenheit (−4 Celsius) though temperatures can fall below 0 degrees Fahrenheit (−18 Celsius) Average annual snowfall is 35 inches (89 cm).
Current weather
It’s currently 67°F and a few clouds in Madison. View a weather forecast provided by our Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences.
