NOAA normal Milwaukee averages about 48.7 inches of snow a season; Madison about 51.8Freeze-thaw Madison averages about 80 freeze-thaw days a year in our count of NOAA dataMadison Madison runs a Winter Salt Certification program with Wisconsin Salt WiseLakes Chloride from road salt is a growing concern for Madison-area lakesEst. treated salt Pre-treated bulk salt usually runs $20–$50 a ton over plain rock saltEst. salt brine Salt brine by the gallon: roughly $0.20–$0.40, before deliveryEst. bagged rock salt Pallet of 49 × 50 lb rock salt bags: roughly $240–$330Est. ice melt pallet Pallet of 49 × 50 lb blended ice melt: roughly $430–$600Rule of thumb Plain rock salt slows way down below about 15°F pavement temperatureFall pre-buy Lock in tons and pickup or delivery before the first storm, not during itNOAA normal Milwaukee averages about 48.7 inches of snow a season; Madison about 51.8Freeze-thaw Madison averages about 80 freeze-thaw days a year in our count of NOAA dataMadison Madison runs a Winter Salt Certification program with Wisconsin Salt WiseLakes Chloride from road salt is a growing concern for Madison-area lakesEst. treated salt Pre-treated bulk salt usually runs $20–$50 a ton over plain rock saltEst. salt brine Salt brine by the gallon: roughly $0.20–$0.40, before deliveryEst. bagged rock salt Pallet of 49 × 50 lb rock salt bags: roughly $240–$330Est. ice melt pallet Pallet of 49 × 50 lb blended ice melt: roughly $430–$600Rule of thumb Plain rock salt slows way down below about 15°F pavement temperatureFall pre-buy Lock in tons and pickup or delivery before the first storm, not during it

Price figures are estimates from public bids and published price lists, not quotes. Where these numbers come from

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How a southern Wisconsin winter unfolds

Milwaukee and Madison snowfall, freeze-thaw counts and the season month by month.

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A Milwaukee and Madison winter brings steady snow, lake-effect bands near the shore, deep cold and a lot of freeze-thaw inland. Here's how a typical season tends to go. Any given year can differ.

Snowfall and freeze-thaw

Place	Average seasonal snowfall	Freeze-thaw days a year
Milwaukee	48.7 in	65.5
Madison	51.8 in	80.3

Snowfall: NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 normals.¹ Freeze-thaw days: our count of days with a high above 32°F and a low below 32°F in NOAA GHCN-Daily records, 1991–2020 average.²

The season, month by month

November: line up supply

First snows. Pre-buy and calibrate spreaders.

December: winter settles in

Brine ahead while pavement is above 15°F.

January to February: deep cold

Treated salt and calcium blends; abrasives for traction.

March: freeze-thaw

Melt and refreeze. Watch drainage around piles.

Next in the guideStorm-readiness checklist →

Sources

Figures are quoted from the sources above. Conditions on your sites vary; follow product labels and your own calibration.