Winter 1996-97 in Wisconsin
Winter 1996-97 (December through February)
was a relatively normal season in terms of temperature, but was characterized
by unusually high precipitation totals statewide. Winter temperatures
were within one degree of normal across the state. Winter precipitation
ranged from 126-161% of normal in the nine climate divisions, mostly due
to several large snowstorms in December and January. Northwest and
North Central Wisconsin were hardest hit by the heavy snows. Statewide,
Wisconsin received about one and one-half times its normal winter precipitation.
-
Winter 1996-97 Divisional Averages:
|
Climate
Division
|
Mean
Temp.
(°F)
|
Normal
Temp.
|
Depart.
From
Normal
|
Total
Precip.
(in.)
|
Normal
Precip.
|
Depart.
From
Normal
|
Percent
of
Normal
|
|
Northwest
|
12.9
|
13.1
|
-0.2
|
5.08
|
3.15
|
1.93
|
161
|
|
N. Central
|
14.1
|
13.2
|
0.9
|
5.37
|
3.32
|
2.04
|
161
|
|
Northeast
|
16.3
|
15.8
|
0.5
|
5.39
|
3.78
|
1.62
|
143
|
|
W. Central
|
16.3
|
16.3
|
0.0
|
3.91
|
2.97
|
0.94
|
132
|
|
Central
|
18.5
|
17.6
|
0.9
|
4.54
|
3.46
|
1.08
|
131
|
|
E. Central
|
20.4
|
19.7
|
0.7
|
5.09
|
3.91
|
1.18
|
130
|
|
Southwest
|
19.0
|
19.2
|
-0.2
|
4.30
|
3.43
|
0.88
|
126
|
|
S. Central
|
20.5
|
20.3
|
0.3
|
5.21
|
3.91
|
1.30
|
133
|
|
Southeast
|
22.5
|
21.8
|
0.7
|
6.30
|
4.46
|
1.84
|
141
|
|
Statewide
|
16.8
|
16.4
|
0.4
|
4.96
|
3.48
|
1.48
|
143
|
(Note: Total precipitation is rain or water equivalent of snowfall)