WAUSAU, Wisconsin – Northern Wisconsin’s quiet, mild start to November is coming to an abrupt end as a much colder and snowier pattern develops between November 9 and 15. Forecasters warn that a series of cold fronts will bring accumulating snow to the Northwoods, potentially the season’s first widespread winter event.
According to the NOAA Climate Prediction Center, northern Wisconsin will trend below normal in temperature and above normal in precipitation through mid-month — a setup that favors lake-effect and system snow for Iron, Vilas, Oneida, Marathon, and Bayfield counties. The first front early next week is expected to usher in Arctic air and gusty northwest winds off Lake Superior, fueling multiple rounds of snow showers.
The National Weather Service offices in Green Bay and Duluth report that some higher terrain areas could see several inches of accumulation, with lighter coatings south toward Wausau and Stevens Point. Highs will dip into the 30s, and overnight lows will likely plunge into the 20s, with wind chills in the teens during early morning hours.
Travelers along Highway 51, U.S. 2, and I-39 should be prepared for slick stretches, blowing snow, and reduced visibility in heavier bands. The Wisconsin DOT is advising early-season caution and reminding drivers to check road conditions before heading north.
Residents are urged to winterize homes, protect pipes, and stock emergency supplies before temperatures fall further. With Thanksgiving approaching, this cold surge signals that the Upper Midwest is entering a much snowier, more wintry phase — and northern Wisconsin is likely to be at the heart of it.
