Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin – Dangerous arctic cold is poised to sweep across Wisconsin late this week, pushing wind chills to life-threatening levels and setting up a prolonged stretch of bitter conditions that will impact travel, schools, and daily routines statewide.
According to the National Weather Service and NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center, the cold air mass will surge into Wisconsin by Friday night, with the harshest conditions developing over the weekend and lingering into early next week. Wind chills near minus 40 degrees are possible across central Wisconsin, including Wisconsin Rapids, Stevens Point, Marshfield, and Wausau, especially during overnight and early morning hours.
High temperatures will struggle to climb above zero across much of the state, with northern and central Wisconsin remaining locked in sub-zero cold even during the afternoon. Madison and Milwaukee will see slightly less extreme conditions, but wind chills could still drop into the minus 20s, making outdoor exposure dangerous in minutes.
WisDOT officials urge drivers to limit non-essential travel during the coldest periods, keep emergency supplies in vehicles, and ensure batteries and fuel systems are winter-ready. Residents are advised to protect pets, check on elderly neighbors, charge devices, and safeguard exposed pipes. Frostbite and hypothermia risks will rise quickly with prolonged exposure.
The extreme cold is expected to persist into early next week, and additional cold weather advisories or warnings are likely. Officials urge residents to stay alert and monitor updates as conditions remain hazardous across Wisconsin.
