La Crosse, WI – Residents across west-central Wisconsin and southeast Minnesota should prepare for freezing temperatures tonight as the National Weather Service (NWS) in La Crosse expands its Frost Advisory and Freeze Warning areas.
According to the NWS, lows are expected to fall into the upper 20s to mid-30s by early Wednesday morning, potentially damaging sensitive vegetation. The advisory now covers portions of southeast Minnesota, including Rochester, and extends east toward Eau Claire and north of La Crosse.
Counties under a Freeze Warning—shown in dark blue on the NWS map—could see temperatures drop below 32 degrees. In these areas, unprotected plants are at risk of being killed by the cold. Areas under a Frost Advisory, indicated in light blue, are forecast to see lows between 32 and 36 degrees, allowing frost formation on exposed surfaces.
The NWS urges residents to take precautions by bringing potted plants indoors and covering tender vegetation overnight. Gardeners and farmers are especially advised to safeguard crops and late-season produce before the cold sets in.
Cold air will linger into Wednesday morning, with slightly warmer conditions expected later in the week.
