October 2019 set the record for the snowiest October in Madison at 8.1 inches, breaking the previous October record of 6.2 inches set in 1917. Before the 4 inches fell on Halloween, a record 1 inch fell on October 28, a near record 2 inches. on October 29 and a record 1.1 inches on October 30.

This year’s Halloween weather offers a spooky trick at the opposite end of the weather spectrum, with thunderstorms, heavy rain and perhaps even a tornado for southern Wisconsin before temperatures dropped from the mid-60s to the mid-40s Thursday morning by the time trick -or-treating is completed. Southwesterly winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour and gusts of over 60 mph are also forecast.

The predicted wild weather comes after Madison saw a high of 82 on Tuesday, tying the October 29 record set in 1937, according to the National Weather Service. Tuesday’s low of 65 was 11 degrees higher than the normal high of 54 on Oct. 29.

Madison should see a high of 77 on Wednesday, with southwest winds of 15 to 20 mph, gusts up to 40 mph and a 40% chance of rain, the Weather Service said.

There is a 90% chance of showers and storms overnight, with a half to three-quarters of an inch of rain in Madison, a low around 60 and wind gusts up to 20 miles per hour.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Mark Gehring says severe storms are possible in south-central Wisconsin, with damaging winds and a possible brief tornado. The storms are likely to produce heavy rainfall, especially north and west of the Madison metro area

The threat of heavy rain and severe storms will mainly come from the Madison area to the west.

The heavier rain and storms will pass by Thursday morning’s drive, Gehring said.

Temperatures are forecast to return to the 60s Saturday through Tuesday, with more rain likely Sunday through Tuesday, and more storms Sunday through Monday evening.

Bayfield and Douglas counties in far northwestern Wisconsin are under a winter storm warning Thursday morning through Thursday evening, with 2 to 6 inches possible.

And of course, nothing will likely top the infamous Halloween snowstorm of 1991 that hit northwestern Wisconsin and adjacent parts of Minnesota, dumping 14 inches (36.9 centimeters) of snow on the Duluth airport and 18 inches (45 centimeters) in Superior from October 3 through November . 3, 1991.

A large area of ​​more than 20 inches of snow covered most of northwestern Wisconsin, from Bayfield to River Falls and near the eastern half of Minnesota.