A significant drop in temperatures is set to impact Southeast Wisconsin starting late Thursday night, ushering in an Extreme Cold Warning that begins at midnight and will last until 1 p.m. on Friday. Wind chills are expected to plummet to dangerous levels, potentially reaching between -30 and -40 degrees Fahrenheit, with the most severe cold anticipated early Friday morning. Residents are advised that frostbite could occur within just 10 minutes of exposure to these extreme conditions.
Following the Extreme Cold Warning, an Extreme Cold Watch will be active during Friday afternoon and into Saturday morning, with wind chills remaining around or below -20 degrees. The high temperature on Friday is not expected to rise above 0 degrees, marking it as Milwaukee’s coldest day in about five years.
As for the weekend, a major winter storm will move south of the region. However, Southern Wisconsin may experience some light snow showers from late Saturday into Sunday. High temperatures will begin to recover early next week, gradually rising into the teens.
This period typically falls within the coldest time of the year climatologically, though it’s important to note that such severe cold isn’t always experienced every winter.
Meteorologist Lauren Larsen provides the latest storm team weather forecast for Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin, reminding residents to stay vigilant during these extreme conditions. Tonight’s forecast indicates rapidly falling temperatures with a slight chance of flurries and gusty winds, leading to a low of -15 degrees and wind chills between -25 and -35.
On Friday, expect sunny but windy and dangerously cold conditions with a high of -5 degrees and wind chills reaching as low as -45. For Saturday, the forecast shows mostly sunny skies but still very cold temperatures, with a high of 8 and wind chills between -25 and -10. Sunday will bring mostly cloudy skies with a slight chance of snow and temperatures rising to 13 degrees. Monday is expected to remain mostly sunny and cold, with a high of 11, while Tuesday will see high temperatures reaching 17 degrees.
As residents brace for this extreme cold, staying updated through local news and weather forecasts is crucial for safety during this frigid spell.