Milwaukee, Wisconsin – A renewed blast of Arctic air is expected to surge back into Wisconsin and Illinois during the first full week of February, bringing a prolonged stretch of bitter cold, subzero wind chills, and a lower-than-normal risk for widespread snowstorms across the Upper Midwest.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, temperatures across Wisconsin and Illinois are favored to run well below normal from Friday through the following Thursday as strong Arctic high pressure settles over the region. At the same time, precipitation probabilities lean below average, pointing to a colder but generally drier pattern despite the return of winter’s harshest air.
In Wisconsin, the coldest conditions are expected across central and northern portions of the state, where overnight lows could fall below zero on multiple nights. Cities including Wausau, Eau Claire, and Green Bay may struggle to reach the teens during the day, while wind chills dip dangerously low during the morning and overnight hours. Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin will see slightly moderated temperatures but still face sharply colder-than-normal conditions.
Across Illinois, northern and central areas including Rockford, Chicago, and Peoria will feel the brunt of the cold, with teens for highs and single-digit or subzero wind chills. While Lake Michigan can enhance snow in certain patterns, the dominant Arctic setup favors dry air, limiting lake-effect and organized snow systems. Fast-moving clippers remain possible but are expected to be brief and light.
Residents should prepare for extended cold by protecting pipes, checking heating systems, and limiting prolonged outdoor exposure. Confidence continues to grow in the return of Arctic cold through early February, with additional advisories possible if conditions intensify.
