Wisconsin wakes up under a cold, gray sky where breath hangs in the air and wind cuts across open fields. The chill is not just uncomfortable. It is causing real impacts this morning across northeast Wisconsin.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures are hovering between 31 and 36 degrees in Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, and Manitowoc, creating widespread frost through 8 a.m. Cold air pooled into low spots, especially near rural roads and river valleys.
This is part of a broader system dragging below-average temperatures across the Midwest, keeping early May conditions closer to late March.
The biggest concern right now is plant damage. Frost can form quickly on exposed surfaces, especially in low-lying areas and open farmland near the Fox River and Lake Winnebago shoreline. Gardens, early crops, and flowering trees face damage within minutes if unprotected.
Drivers are also dealing with subtle hazards. Moisture from light flurries and drizzle is creating slick patches on bridges and overpasses along I-43 and Highway 41. These surfaces cool faster, increasing the risk of brief “flash freezing” in shaded areas during the early commute.
Conditions improve by late morning as temperatures climb toward the upper 40s. Still, the air remains brisk through the afternoon with scattered sprinkles and even a few flurries mixing in north of Green Bay.
Looking ahead, another frost threat develops into early Saturday, especially in inland areas like Waupaca and Shawano. By Sunday, temperatures rebound into the 60s with increasing rain chances. Early next week brings milder air and scattered storms, with a low-end risk for gusty winds but limited severe potential.
Five-day outlook:
Saturday: Early frost, then sunny, high near 55°F
Sunday: Partly sunny, chance of showers, high near 62°F
Monday: Showers possible, high near 67°F
Tuesday: Cooler, scattered showers, high near 55°F
Wednesday: Mild, high near 54°F
