Milwaukee, Wisconsin – A brutal wave of heat is set to grip Wisconsin this week, with temperatures and humidity pushing heat index values as high as 106 degrees in Milwaukee, Madison, and dozens of surrounding cities starting Wednesday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan, an Extreme Heat Watch is in effect from 10 a.m. Wednesday through 7 p.m. Thursday for much of east-central, south-central, and southeast Wisconsin. Cities impacted include Milwaukee, Madison, Racine, Kenosha, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Waukesha, Janesville, and dozens more along the I-94 corridor.
Residents are urged to take the threat seriously: Heat-related illnesses can escalate quickly in these conditions. Local agencies recommend limiting outdoor activity, drinking extra water, checking on elderly neighbors, and never leaving children or pets inside vehicles. Cooling centers may be activated in some areas—watch for city updates.
Power grids could be strained as air conditioning use spikes, and city officials warn that brief outages or delays are possible. Schools, workplaces, and event organizers across Dane, Milwaukee, and Waukesha counties are monitoring conditions and may adjust schedules for safety.
This event rivals some of the hottest stretches Wisconsin has seen in recent years. Heat watches may expand or upgrade to warnings if conditions worsen.
The Extreme Heat Watch remains in effect through Thursday evening. More advisories and city-specific alerts could follow as temperatures climb.
