La Crosse, WI – A thin glaze of frost coats driveways and windshields across the Coulee Region this morning as temperatures hover near 29°F. The air feels calm for now, but changes are coming fast as Thanksgiving week approaches.
According to the National Weather Service in La Crosse, a sharp pattern shift begins Monday with rain spreading across much of western Wisconsin. Showers could develop by midday, becoming steady by evening as temperatures linger in the low 50s. Roads may turn slick late in the day, especially along Highway 53 and I-90 where early holiday travelers are already moving.
Rain continues into Tuesday before colder air funnels in behind a passing front. Forecasters say the transition could bring a rain–snow mix Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, hinting at the region’s first true “winter tease.” Even a dusting of snow could make secondary roads slippery, particularly in rural valleys and shaded stretches.
By Thanksgiving Day, skies are expected to clear with highs near 33°F — chilly but manageable for family drives and early shoppers. Winds ease, but that cold snap will linger into Friday morning. National models suggest a broader winter pattern may form between November 25 and early December, potentially bringing heavier snow to portions of the upper Midwest and Great Lakes just as post-holiday travel peaks.
Five-Day Outlook (La Crosse, WI)
- Sunday: Sunny, high 54°F
- Monday: Rain likely, high 51°F
- Tuesday: Rain, high 50°F
- Wednesday: Chance of snow, high 35°F
- Thanksgiving Day: Mostly sunny, high 33°F
