La Crosse, WI – The Mississippi River sits under gray, heavy clouds this morning as western Wisconsin enters a damp and unsettled stretch of weather. Temperatures remain mild for late November, but a quick pattern shift midweek could bring both slick roads and travel delays before Thanksgiving.
The National Weather Service reports steady rain developing through Tuesday, with totals up to a half inch possible. By late Tuesday night, colder air rushing in from the northwest will trigger a rain-to-snow changeover, especially north of I-90 and through the Coulee Region. While accumulation looks light — generally less than half an inch — brisk winds could make travel on elevated highways slippery early Wednesday.
Wednesday itself will feel like a new season. Temperatures will hover near freezing as gusts near 35 mph create a biting wind chill. Thanksgiving Day calms down considerably, offering mostly sunny skies and a chilly but comfortable high near 29°F — ideal for family travel and outdoor holiday traditions.
Looking ahead, early signs suggest another round of light snow late Friday into Saturday, part of a “Winter Tease” pattern taking hold across the Upper Midwest. For now, it’s a reminder that late fall is giving way to winter — just in time for the holiday rush.
5-Day Outlook:
- Tuesday: Rain likely, 52°F.
- Wednesday: Rain/snow mix, breezy, 32°F.
- Thanksgiving Day: Partly sunny, 29°F.
- Friday: Mostly sunny, 41°F.
- Saturday: Chance of snow, 36°F.
