LA CROSSE, Wis. – A sharp fall chill will grip the Upper Mississippi Valley overnight, bringing the season’s first widespread frost to parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa early Thursday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in La Crosse, a Frost Advisory is in effect from 2 a.m. to 9 a.m. CDT Thursday for much of southeast Minnesota, northeast Iowa, and western and central Wisconsin. The advisory includes La Crosse, Rochester, Winona, Decorah, Prairie du Chien, and Richland Center, where temperatures are expected to dip to near or just below 32°F before sunrise.
Light winds and clear skies will create ideal conditions for frost formation, especially in low-lying and rural areas along Highway 52, I-90, and the Wisconsin River Valley. Sensitive plants and crops could be damaged or killed if left uncovered. Residents are urged to cover tender vegetation, bring potted flowers indoors, and disconnect outdoor hoses.
According to local emergency management agencies, motorists should expect frosted windshields and slick bridge surfaces early Thursday. Sunshine will return by midmorning, leading to a cool but pleasant fall afternoon.
The chill will persist into Friday with another round of patchy frost possible, followed by a gradual warmup into the weekend.
