Wisconsin – Fog drifts through the Milwaukee shoreline this morning, softening headlights and leaving damp pavement ahead of the busiest Thanksgiving Travel surge of the week. Light drizzle taps across windshields as travelers pack I-94, I-43, and Route 41, bracing for fast-changing weather through the afternoon. Conditions stay manageable for now, but shifting winds and early-season snow hints signal a more complicated setup as the day develops.
According to the National Weather Service, dense fog lingers across southern Wisconsin through the first half of the day before rain expands and colder air pushes in. A steady west wind strengthens later today, setting up gusts up to 45 mph by Wednesday. Those winds could sway high-profile vehicles on open stretches and create minor tree-limb issues. Drivers beginning long-distance Thanksgiving trips should plan extra time, especially during the late-morning and afternoon window when visibility and traction fluctuate.
Models hint at a Winter Tease by early Wednesday. Light snow becomes possible as rain shifts to a slushy mix, particularly between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Snow accumulations of 1 to 2 inches remain possible over central to east-central Wisconsin, with Milwaukee likely seeing lighter coverage. Even a brief changeover may create slick patches with air temperatures hovering near freezing. This early-season setup mirrors a broader national pattern, as a major cold front pushes across the U.S. from Thanksgiving through early December — raising the potential for heavy snow in parts of the northern Plains, Midwest, and Northeast.
Thanksgiving Day turns calmer, with partly sunny skies and a brisk northwest breeze. Black Friday starts cold but dry with manageable travel.
Five-Day Outlook
Wednesday: Rain/snow mix, windy, 38°.
Thanksgiving Day: Partly sunny, 32°.
Friday: Sunny, 31°.
Saturday: Snow likely, 33°.
Sunday: Snow chance, 29°.
