Forecasting the Next Snowfall Opportunity
Southern Wisconsin is set to experience a notable weather shift this weekend, starting with unseasonably warm temperatures and transitioning to a dramatic cold front on Sunday. Rain is forecasted to develop tonight, with temperatures remaining 10 to 15 degrees above average.
Weather Forecast Overview
As of Thursday evening, light rain is anticipated across southern Wisconsin, particularly from tonight into Friday morning. Areas north of Madison may encounter brief instances of freezing drizzle earlier in the evening, but temperatures are expected to rise above freezing quickly, mitigating any potential ice accumulation.
Weather Alerts
- A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Juneau, Adams, and surrounding counties due to potential icy conditions.
- Slick road conditions are predicted until tomorrow morning.
The rain will persist overnight and continue into Friday morning, clearing by early afternoon. With temperatures gradually warming, some fog may develop before sunrise on Friday, though breezy winds are likely to keep it from becoming dense.
Weekend Temperature Forecast
Friday and Saturday will offer the warmest conditions of the week, with many areas reaching the low to mid-40s°F. Saturday night will see temperatures only falling to the mid to upper 30s°F.
Cold Front and Snowfall Potential
Sunday will start mild, but a significant cold front is projected to move through during the day, resulting in a stark temperature drop of around 30 degrees. By the time the front passes, accumulating snowfall is possible, although expected amounts are relatively low.
Strong winds, with gusts between 35 to 45 mph, will accompany the cold air. This could create challenging travel conditions, especially Sunday evening, due to a combination of light snow and falling temperatures.
Arriving Arctic Air
As the colder air sweeps in Sunday night, single-digit lows and wind chills in the teens below zero are anticipated by Monday morning. The high temperatures on Monday are projected to struggle to reach 20°F due to the influence of a surface ridge.
Outlook for Early Next Week
Temperatures are expected to moderate gradually by Tuesday and Wednesday, approaching seasonal averages. However, there remains uncertainty about the degree of this rebound as the region is situated between two distinct air masses. Light snowfall opportunities may arise Tuesday night into Wednesday, though significant accumulation is not expected.
This forecast serves as a reminder to prepare for the changing weather conditions this weekend, particularly as the next snowfall opportunity approaches.
