How much colder is the winter in northern Wi. vs southern Wi. (Janesville: live in, cabin)

[augiedogie]

I've lived a significant part of my life in southern Wi. How much colder is winter north of Wausau? How much longer is winter? The only personal information I ever received was from a guy on my HS football team, whose family had just moved from Superior. He said they had to wear longjohns under their gear for practice, starting in Oct.

[Drewjdeg]

Maybe 5-7 degrees warmer in the south than the north on average. I do believe they get much more snow around Superior.

https://www.usclimatedata.com/climat...tates/uswi0411
https://www.usclimatedata.com/climat...tates/uswi0676

[Enean]

Originally Posted by augiedogie

I've lived a significant part of my life in southern Wi. How much colder is winter north of Wausau? How much longer is winter? The only personal information I ever received was from a guy on my HS football team, whose family had just moved from Superior. He said they had to wear longjohns under their gear for practice, starting in Oct.

Superior is a long way from Wausau (3.5 hrs. to be exact). The weather in Superior would not be the same as in Wausau. Every season is different than the next, so while you might need longjohns in October this year, you may not, next year.

[GraniteStater]

The coldest region of the state is the northern highland belt stretching from Hayward, Phillips, Tomahawk, Rhinelander, and Manitowish Waters. The state coldest low temperature of record was -55F in the village of Couderay in Sawyer County, February, 1996. The snowiest region of the state is the Lake Superior Snowbelt of Iron, Vilas, and Ashland counties- clipping portions of a few other WI counties but concentrating on the western UP of MI. Winters are not as cold south of a Stevens Point line, but snow is often less which could be a pro/con depending on perspective.

[scott53051]

The winters are longer in northern Wisconsin. 60-90 days of snowcover in the south. 90-120 days of snowcover in the north.

[REDFRED]

I have lived in Wisconsin for my whole life. 50 years. Still live full time in southwestern wi and planning my escape north. I've had a cabin by the border of the UP for 9 years. Southwestern wisconsin actually feels colder I believe because it is damp and a river valley. Most of the time northwoods snow is drier so it's easier to shovel. It's like fluff. I'm in the snow belt. There is a lot of lake effect snow. I think it's more comfortable in the winter up north than the south due to drier air, even though temps are colder. Northwoods has bluer skies prettier scenery as far as I'm concerned because of all the spruce and pine. The air quality is definitely better than south wi. Sinuses are always clear up north. Again, outdoor opportunities abound more up north. More ski trails, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, fat tire bike trails

[mjstef]

I grew up in HELLinois on the border and left in 99. Spent 4 years in Florida, (HORRIBLE HUMIDITY!) and 12 years in Montana. Now i'm just west of Minocqua and i find it similar to a Montana winter climate with a LOT more son. Way nicer than i remember HELLinois....

[SpiritTwo]

Originally Posted by augiedogie

I've lived a significant part of my life in southern Wi. How much colder is winter north of Wausau? How much longer is winter? The only personal information I ever received was from a guy on my HS football team, whose family had just moved from Superior. He said they had to wear longjohns under their gear for practice, starting in Oct.

I was born and raised in Ashland, WI (65 miles south of Superior). My parents were, too. They finally moved us down to Colorado Springs in 1972 because, as my mom put it, "We're sick of snow and cold 8 months of the year." Typical winter/fall in Ashland requires dressing in layers. Long johns, two pairs of socks, always have mittens and a heavy scarf with you. That wind gets pretty bitter quickly.

I've been back a couple of times in the winter, and every time I'm surprised "Oh! BRRR. I forgot how cold this was!" I also lived in Janesville a couple of years ago (I missed the fish frys, good cheese and having water nearby). It wasn't quite as nippy, but they were having a record winter of snow (100 inches). Ashland gets around 94 inches.

I still have cousins that live up in/near Ashland. They're so used to the winters, they take it in stride. But they have told me the thunderstorms they've been getting in the spring and summer are wilder and more severe and frequent than 40 years ago. Lots of flooding, washed out roads, downed trees. I'm not sure how much further south into WI this pattern extends. Having said all that, I love WI. So beautiful. So friendly.

Cheers!

[LaughMadden]

I know for sure that if you live in North Wisconsin you get a good 10 more of snow then you would in Southern Wisconsin. Temperatures are pretty close they are usually within 10 degrees of each other. It might be more windy in the north which is pretty common.

[stealheadrun23]

Are insects (mosquitoes especially) more severe in the Southern regions than further North?