Milwaukee, Madison and Waukesha: the storm record behind your gutters

Three counties, 2016-2025

Counts from NOAA's Storm Events Database for the ten years through 2025:

Dane and Waukesha rank first and second among all Wisconsin counties for hail of 1 inch or larger over the decade.

Dane County and Madison

Dane's 152 large-hail events include 14 of 2 inches or more. The biggest stones in the window were 2.5 inches, recorded three times: at Windsor on May 15, 2017, at Albion on July 23, 2022 and at Albion again on April 18, 2025. Before the window, 3-inch hail fell in Madison on April 13, 2006, an event for which the database lists $5.55 million in property damage.

Water is the other story. A flood near Waunakee on August 20, 2018 carries a property damage figure of about $32.8 million, and FEMA's major disaster declaration DR-4402, for severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, flooding and landslides beginning August 17, 2018, included Dane County.

Waukesha County

Waukesha's largest stones in the window were 2 inches, at North Prairie on April 18, 2025 and at Big Bend on May 15, 2025. Earlier, a 3.75-inch stone was reported at Mukwonago on August 2, 2015. The county's strongest thunderstorm wind since 2000 was estimated at 96 knots, about 110 mph, near Eagle on June 21, 2011.

The flash flood of August 9, 2025, at Menomonee Falls is listed with $89 million in property damage, the largest figure for any Waukesha County event in the database since 2000.

Milwaukee County

Milwaukee sees less large hail than its neighbors, 29 events of 1 inch or more, topped in the window by 1.75-inch hail at Rawson on May 15, 2025. Its strongest measured gust since 2000, 71 knots or about 82 mph, came at Timmerman Airport on June 29, 2025.

Flash flooding is Milwaukee's costliest hazard in the record. The same day's flooding produced a flash flood near Carrollville listed at $60 million, and FEMA's DR-4892, for severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding and mudslides beginning that day, covers Milwaukee and Waukesha counties. Both counties are also in DR-4923, declared June 30, 2026, for severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that began April 13, 2026.

One storm, several counties

The dates repeat across the three counties. May 15, 2025 put 1.75-inch hail on Rawson, 2-inch hail on Big Bend and 2-inch hail at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison; April 18, 2025 brought 2.5-inch hail to Albion and 2-inch hail to North Prairie. If your gutters took a beating on one of those days, the neighboring county's records help confirm the storm.

Snow, rain and downpours

NOAA's 1991-2020 normals give Milwaukee's airport 48.7 inches of snow and 34.57 inches of precipitation a year, and Madison's 51.8 inches of snow and 37.13 inches of precipitation. For short bursts, NOAA Atlas 14 on the Precipitation Frequency Data Server gives a 100-year, 60-minute intensity of 2.97 inches per hour at Milwaukee's airport point (42.955, -87.9044) and 3.03 at Madison's (43.1406, -89.3453).

Winter storms have reached federal declarations here too. FEMA's DR-1966, for a severe winter storm and snowstorm that began January 31, 2011, included Dane and Milwaukee counties.

What that means for your gutters

• Hail: photograph dents with a ruler for scale and match them to the storm date; the hail and gutters guide explains what inspectors look for.
• Flash floods: make sure every downspout discharges away from the foundation.
• Snow and ice: keep outlets clear through the winter, and read the ice dams guide before blaming the gutters for a leak.

Roofers in the Milwaukee and Madison area

The National Roofing Directory lists roofing contractors in Milwaukee, Madison, Waukesha and Brookfield.

You can also go straight to NRD's pages for roofers in Milwaukee, Madison, Waukesha and Brookfield, check Wisconsin's licensing rules, and follow the Wisconsin storm center.

Frequently asked questions

How much large hail does the Madison area get?

NOAA's Storm Events Database records 152 hail events of 1 inch or larger in Dane County from 2016 through 2025, on 33 separate days, the most of any Wisconsin county.

What was the worst recent flood in the Milwaukee area?

The flash flooding of August 9, 2025. The database lists $89 million in property damage at Menomonee Falls, Waukesha County's largest figure since 2000, and $60 million near Carrollville in Milwaukee County. FEMA's DR-4892 covers both counties.

How much snow falls in Milwaukee and Madison?

The 1991-2020 annual normals are 48.7 inches at Milwaukee's airport and 51.8 inches at Madison's.