La Crosse, Wis. – Frost clung to rooftops and glistened on cornfields across the Mississippi River Valley early Thursday, as temperatures slipped below freezing and the first true cold snap of late fall set in. By early Friday, a Freeze Warning will take hold across southwest Wisconsin, northeast Iowa, and southeast Minnesota — likely ending the growing season across much of the tri-state region.
According to the National Weather Service in La Crosse, the Freeze Warning remains in effect from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday for counties including La Crosse, Monroe, Vernon, Houston, and Fillmore. Temperatures are expected to fall into the upper 20s to low 30s. The cold could kill remaining crops and damage unprotected plumbing or outdoor vegetation. Residents are urged to cover tender plants and bring in garden containers before sunset Thursday.
Thursday itself will stay mostly sunny with highs near 51°F and a light northwest breeze. Skies clear again by nightfall, allowing temperatures to plummet quickly. Areas along the Wisconsin River Valley and rural Route 61 will cool fastest, with widespread frost likely forming before dawn.
Friday morning begins icy and bright, with calm winds and crisp air holding into the afternoon. Highs climb only to the mid-50s under full sun. The chill relaxes slightly by Saturday, when highs rebound toward 60°F and clouds begin to increase.
Long-range patterns hint at a more active setup into next week. While the region stays dry for now, colder air returning from Canada could bring the first hints of flurries to far northern Wisconsin by late next week — a subtle reminder that November isn’t waiting long to show up.
Five-Day Forecast for La Crosse, WI:
Thu: 51/29 – Mostly sunny; frost returns late.
Fri: 55/36 – Hard freeze early; bright, calm afternoon.
Sat: 58/44 – Mostly clear; cool and pleasant.
Sun: 60/47 – Partly sunny; mild fall warmth.
Mon: 58/44 – Cloudy; spotty rain possible late.
