La Crosse, Wisconsin – A narrow but impactful band of freezing rain is creating slick and hazardous travel conditions early Tuesday across parts of southeast Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin, with the greatest concerns focused on the morning commute. Roads, bridges, and untreated surfaces may quickly turn icy before temperatures rise later this morning.
According to the National Weather Service in La Crosse, a mix of rain and freezing rain will persist through mid to late morning, with the highest ice accumulations expected along and north of a Red Wing, Minnesota to Wisconsin Rapids corridor. Within this narrow zone, ice totals could reach between one-tenth and two-tenths of an inch, enough to cause difficult driving and isolated power concerns. Areas closer to Interstate 90, including La Crosse and Rochester, sit near the freezing line, leading to lower confidence but still the risk of brief icy patches.
Cities such as Eau Claire, Black River Falls, Neillsville, Wausau, and Wisconsin Rapids are most likely to experience measurable icing, while lighter glaze amounts are possible farther south toward Winona, Tomah, and Decorah. Conditions may change rapidly over short distances, making travel especially unpredictable early today.
Drivers are urged to slow down, allow extra travel time, and remain alert for slick spots, particularly on bridges and overpasses. Warmer air moving in should gradually end the freezing rain threat by mid to late morning, but lingering slick roads may persist even after precipitation tapers.
