Milwaukee, WI – Residents across southeast Wisconsin and the Illinois border region are bracing for dangerous cold and hazardous marine conditions on Lake Michigan tonight as frigid air spills into the Great Lakes, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) Milwaukee/Sullivan.
The NWS reports that wind chills across east-central, south-central, and southeast Wisconsin will fall to between 15 and 20 degrees below zero tonight. The subzero cold is expected again early Thursday morning, posing risks for anyone exposed for extended periods. While skies remain mostly quiet on land, the cold air will be enough to generate hazardous conditions across the lake.
For mariners, conditions will deteriorate sharply tonight. The northern portion of Lake Michigan may see winds approaching gale force, with widespread freezing spray developing due to the combination of strong winds and very cold air. A Gale Watch has been issued for the northern third of the lake from Thursday evening through early Friday morning. Freezing spray is expected to continue into Friday and may linger into the weekend.
Nearshore waters from Sheboygan, WI, to Winthrop Harbor, IL remain under a Small Craft Advisory, with elevated waves and gusty winds creating hazardous travel for smaller vessels. Additional advisories may be needed as cold air deepens over the region later this week.
No spotter activation is expected, but officials urge residents to use caution during the bitter cold, check on vulnerable neighbors, and limit time outdoors during peak overnight chill.
Mariners are strongly advised to secure vessels, avoid unnecessary travel, and monitor updated briefings as the cold pattern intensifies.
