La Crosse, Wisconsin – Drivers along I-90 and US-53 have a tight window overnight into Tuesday morning to prepare for slick pavement as temperatures hover near 32 degrees and light precipitation moves in by 8 p.m. Any glaze of ice, even under a tenth of an inch, could turn bridges and overpasses hazardous before the Tuesday commute.
According to the National Weather Service in La Crosse, a narrow band of light precipitation will develop late Monday night and linger through mid-morning Tuesday. Forecasters indicate precipitation type may fluctuate between drizzle, light rain, freezing drizzle, or wet snow depending on surface temperatures. The highest risk for light icing stretches from northeast Iowa into southwest Wisconsin, including La Crosse, Onalaska and Holmen.
Road impacts will focus on elevated surfaces first, especially I-90 bridges over the Mississippi River and ramps connecting to WI-35. Rural highways across La Crosse County and toward Vernon and Monroe counties may also see patchy glaze if temperatures dip just below freezing before sunrise. Even minimal ice accumulation can reduce traction significantly and increase stopping distances.
If traveling between midnight and 10 a.m. Tuesday, reduce speed, increase following distance and allow extra time. Keep headlights on and avoid abrupt braking. Wisconsin DOT crews will monitor conditions, but rapid temperature shifts could cause spotty slick areas to develop quickly.
Conditions should gradually improve by late Tuesday morning as temperatures edge above freezing. Additional updates are possible if colder air lingers longer than expected into the commute.
