La Crosse, Wis. – The coolest day of the week settles over western Wisconsin and southeast Minnesota Sunday, but a steady warming trend will push temperatures into the 50s by midweek, bringing renewed rain chances and a brief risk of wintry mix early Tuesday.
Highs Sunday will remain in the 20s and low 30s across La Crosse, Sparta and Prairie du Chien, keeping roads along I-90 and US-14 dry but cold. Overnight lows dipping into the teens and 20s may lead to refreezing on untreated surfaces through early Monday morning.
By Monday, temperatures begin moderating into the mid-30s to low 40s under increasing cloud cover. Most areas remain dry, though moisture approaching from the west could spark a brief light wintry mix early Tuesday morning, especially across west-central and southwest Wisconsin.
Eau Claire along US-53 and parts of Trempealeau County may see light snow or a rain-snow mix around daybreak Tuesday before temperatures climb into the 40s. Any accumulation appears minimal, but slick spots are possible on bridges and overpasses.
Rain chances increase more noticeably by Wednesday and Thursday as highs surge into the mid-40s and 50s. Periods of light rain could affect travel along I-90 from La Crosse to Tomah and into Rochester along US-52. A few rumbles of thunder cannot be ruled out midweek as warmer air builds northward.
Drivers should stay alert for changing conditions Tuesday morning and monitor forecasts as precipitation chances expand later in the week. The overall trend points toward milder, wetter weather heading deeper into early March.
