Milwaukee, Wisconsin – A brutal surge of arctic air is settling over southeast Wisconsin, bringing dangerously cold wind chills that could cause frostbite in as little as 30 minutes. This is one of the coldest nights of the season so far, with impacts extending into Sunday morning.
The worst conditions arrive this evening and intensify overnight as northwest winds continue to pull in bitterly cold air. Wind chills are expected to plunge to 20 to 25 below zero across Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha, and surrounding counties. Conditions remain hazardous through early Sunday before slowly improving mid-morning.
According to the National Weather Service office in Milwaukee/Sullivan, a Cold Weather Advisory remains in effect until 10 a.m. CST Sunday for much of southeast, south central, and east central Wisconsin. Counties under the advisory include Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington, Racine, Kenosha, Dane, Jefferson, Dodge, Walworth, Rock, Green, and Lafayette. Cities feeling the cold include Milwaukee, Madison, Waukesha, Brookfield, Racine, Kenosha, Janesville, Beloit, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan.
Travelers heading out tonight or early Sunday along I-94, I-43, I-41, I-39/90, and Highway 151 should prepare for extreme cold, especially if vehicles become disabled. According to emergency management officials, residents should avoid unnecessary outdoor activity, dress in multiple layers, and fully cover exposed skin with hats, gloves, and face protection. Children waiting for buses or attending early activities should be especially well protected.
This level of cold also increases risks to pets, plumbing, and heating systems. Pets should be kept indoors, exposed pipes protected, and space heaters used with care. Neighbors who are elderly or without reliable heat should be checked on before conditions worsen.
Wind chills slowly rise Sunday afternoon, but cold air remains in place into early next week across Wisconsin.
