Wisconsin wakes to calm air and dry pavement, but a slick change is coming fast across the Green Bay area.
Clouds thicken through the day as temperatures hover near 30 degrees, setting the stage for freezing rain and sleet later tonight. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 9 p.m. tonight through 9 a.m. Friday for much of northeast Wisconsin, including Brown, Door, and Kewaunee counties.
Light rain develops this evening as surface temperatures remain below freezing. That combination allows rain to freeze on contact, especially on untreated roads, bridges, and sidewalks. Ice accumulations are expected to remain light, but up to two-tenths of an inch is possible north of Highway 29.
Conditions may deteriorate quickly after sunset. Roads that appear wet could turn icy within minutes. Drivers traveling for late Christmas gatherings or early Friday plans should slow down and allow extra time.
By Friday morning, lingering freezing rain may still impact the morning commute, especially on secondary roads. As temperatures rise above freezing later in the morning, precipitation transitions to plain rain, improving travel conditions by midday.
The weekend brings a quieter stretch. Saturday stays cloudy with highs near the upper 30s. That window may offer the best opportunity for smoother post-Christmas travel across northeast Wisconsin.
Attention turns to Sunday and Monday.
Rain returns Sunday, mixing with snow as colder air arrives Sunday night. By Monday, temperatures struggle into the low 20s, reinforcing a Winter Weather mindset for the final days of December. While snow chances remain limited, brisk winds and cold pavement could create isolated slick spots.
Meteorologists continue tracking subtle changes in timing and temperatures.
For now, the most urgent concern is tonight’s freezing rain. Plan ahead, check road conditions through 511, and prepare for icy travel as Christmas Day transitions into a hazardous winter night.
