Milwaukee, Wisconsin – A notable mid-February warm-up is expected across Wisconsin, with temperatures forecast to run 10 to 20 degrees above normal from Feb. 16–20, according to the NOAA Climate Prediction Center.
The Climate Prediction Center’s 6–10 day temperature outlook shows a strong signal for above-normal temperatures statewide, including Milwaukee and Madison. Probabilities for warmer-than-average conditions exceed 60 percent, indicating a high-confidence shift away from typical mid-winter cold.
Under normal conditions, mid-February highs across Wisconsin typically range from the upper 20s to lower 30s, with colder readings across northern and interior sections. During this warm stretch, daytime temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 30s and 40s, with parts of southern Wisconsin potentially reaching the lower 50s during peak warmth.
This warming trend is part of a broader weather pattern affecting much of the central and eastern United States. Across the Midwest and Mississippi Valley, temperatures are expected to surge into the 50s and 60s, reinforcing what forecasters often describe as a late-winter “spring tease.”
Precipitation outlooks indicate near to slightly above-normal precipitation across the Upper Midwest during this timeframe. Combined with warmer temperatures, melting snowpack—particularly across southern and central Wisconsin—could lead to localized ponding, river rises, and minor flooding, especially in low-lying areas and locations with poor drainage.
Forecasters emphasize that this outlook reflects probabilistic climate guidance, not a day-to-day forecast. Colder air and wintry weather can still return later in February, and residents are encouraged to monitor local forecasts for updated details.
For commuters, students, and outdoor workers, the milder stretch may provide brief relief from winter cold, though rapidly changing conditions remain possible.
