<p>My daughter was accepted recently, but is becoming concerned because of about information she's been told, not just about the cold (which is bad enough), but overcast grey dreariness. She feels that she is affected by seasonal depression and while it may or may not be true, if she thinks it's true, will affect her decision. So now she is beginning to think about other lesser schools where it is warm/sunny(i.e. Tulane). I don't want to push her to go to Madison if she will wind up being miserable.</p>
<p>I know that there are other schools near lakes which can have long winters, with grey depressing weather - I went to two (Cornell, Syracuse)</p>
<p>So what's it like in the Winter at Madison?</p>
<p>UW is pretty cold in winter but the weather also tends to be sunny when it is colder--winter is dry as it is on the west side of the Great Lakes that make Michigan, upstate NY, and Ohio much snowier and greyer in the winter. Take a look for yourself. Tulane is warmer but it rains A Lot. </p>
<p>Madison is always listed as one of the best places to live in the United States so the weather can't be that bad. My daughter goes to McGill in Montreal - much colder than Madision and much more snow. We bought her a good coat, good hat, good gloves and nice pair of boots. Not a problem. As for SAD - and I'm not a doctor - but I think that exposure to certain types of lamps on an occasional basis is a big help.</p>
<p>i don't remember having too many gray-overcast winter days in madison. barrons is right, it does get sunny when it is cold. the sunnier it is on a winter day, the colder it is! that's what people say, haha. anyway, winter is cold, but it's normal upper midwest weather. nothing too exceptionally cold and dreary. plus, it's beautiful in the winter as well. snow is lovely!</p>
<p>We live in Minnesota and presumably the weather is similar. Cold air cannot hold much moisture and cold days tend to be sunny. In addition, the sun can reflect off of the white snow, making for very bright days when you really need sunglasses. BUT -- we've had warm winters the past few years and it seems like it has been overcast most of the winter. You just can't predict the weather up here. If SAD really is an issue, I'd be checking out University of Arizona in Tucson. Tulane is in hot & humid territory which I would think means a lot of thunderstorms.</p>