Question:
When I was growing up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin–primarily in the 1950’s–I remember that we would get extreme amounts of snow in the winter. A friend of mine that still lives there has told me that there hasn’t been anything like that for at least twenty years. What changed?
Answer:
Submitted graphic:
Milwaukee Snow Depth 1950-2025 Records (1)
It certainly feels like winters used to be snowier based on many personal recollections. For example, my dad remembers some great snowstorms in Kansas City growing up in the 50s – storms that we haven’t seen the like of in generations, at least where my parents live (though the recent snowstorm in Kansas City was over a foot, which is pretty good for there).
In Milwaukee’s case, there are a few reasons why those giant snowstorms of the 1950s may seem less frequent now:
1. Changing Winter Temperatures (Climate Trends)
Warmer Winters Overall
Average winter temperatures in many parts of the Upper Midwest have been creeping up over the decades. Even a slight increase in winter temperature can mean more mixed precipitation (rain or freezing rain) and less all-snow.Less Frequent Extreme Cold
When it isn’t as cold, snow can melt more quickly between storms. You may still get big snowfalls, but they don’t stick around and pile up as much as in the past.
2. Shifts in Storm Tracks
Jet Stream Patterns
The path of winter storms (often steered by the jet stream) can shift from year to year or over longer periods. In some recent winters, big storm systems that used to dump snow on southeastern Wisconsin may have tracked farther north or south.Lake Effect Nuances
Milwaukee is on the western shore of Lake Michigan, but truly heavy “lake effect” snows tend to hit areas where cold air sweeps over the longest path of open water (often the eastern shores, like Buffalo, NY). That said, when storm tracks or lake temperatures change, it can alter how much lake-enhanced snow Milwaukee sees.
3. Urbanization & Heat Island Effect
Warmer City Core
As cities grow, concrete and asphalt retain heat, raising local temperatures—especially at night. This “urban heat island” effect can reduce snow accumulation in the city compared to outlying suburban or rural areas.Infrastructure & Snow Removal
Milwaukee (like many cities) also got better at clearing roads. Even if a storm does drop a good amount of snow, you might not see huge piles lingering on the streets as long as before.
4. Memory & Historic Storms
Nostalgia Factor
The 1950s featured some memorable blizzards that stand out in people’s minds—particularly when you’re a kid, snowdrifts seem enormous!Actual Data
Milwaukee’s heaviest single-storm snowfalls on record mostly occurred between the 1950s and 1970s. While big storms do still happen, they haven’t matched some of the historic totals from that period in quite a while. I did find a couple of events in 2000-2001 that had over 30 inches of snow, but that was the last time I saw snow amounts that high in the records (please see the attached climate data to look at snow depth data 1950-2025), which matches your friend’s recollection of snow 20 years ago.
Summary
- Overall warming trends and shifting storm paths mean that snowfall patterns aren’t identical to the 1950s. You can still get a big, old-fashioned snowstorm, but those events appear to be less frequent or shorter-lived recently.
- Meanwhile, the urban heat island effect can make Milwaukee’s city center a bit more rain-prone than snow-prone on borderline-temperature days.
In short, the combination of a warmer climate, changes in storm tracks, and local factors like urbanization likely explain why Milwaukee hasn’t seen those towering snowbanks quite as often over the last couple of decades.
