WAUSAU, Wis. – A sharp drop in temperatures will bring the first widespread frost of the season to central Wisconsin early Saturday, threatening gardens and late crops from Wausau to Wisconsin Rapids.
According to the National Weather Service in Green Bay, a Frost Advisory is in effect overnight from 2 a.m. until 8 a.m. Saturday for Marathon, Wood, Portage, and Waushara Counties. Overnight lows are expected to dip into the mid-30s, allowing frost to form on exposed surfaces.
The chill could damage or kill tender vegetation if not protected. Homeowners are urged to cover outdoor plants or bring potted flowers indoors before midnight. The advisory also includes communities such as Marshfield, Stevens Point, Plover, and Wautoma, where clear skies and calm winds will allow temperatures to plummet just before sunrise.
According to forecasters, patchy fog may also develop in low-lying areas, reducing visibility for early drivers along Highway 10 and I-39. Residents should allow extra travel time and avoid sudden braking on frost-slick bridges and rural roads.
Warmer afternoons will return by Sunday, but another cold night is possible early next week as fall continues to tighten its grip across central Wisconsin.
