Milwaukee, on the shore of Lake Michigan, receives around 890 mm (about 35 inches) of rain a year, with the lake moderating local weather in ways that can create sharp differences between the immediate shoreline and areas just a short distance inland. Summer thunderstorms are the primary source of sudden, heavy rainfall, occasionally organizing into fast-moving squall lines that sweep in from the west across the Great Plains. The city’s aging combined sewer system has experienced significant overflow issues during the most intense short-duration downpours. Because these storms can develop and intensify quickly, radar tracking is a genuinely practical everyday summer tool. NWS Doppler radar KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan) covers the region.
Learn more: How Does Rain Radar Work? · Open the full Rain Map