Wisconsin – The first Arctic blast of December has settled over Lake Michigan, and Milwaukee residents are waking up to a raw, bone-deep chill. Frost clings to car hoods, breath clouds the air, and the wind off the lake cuts sharper by the hour.
According to the National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan, wind chills will drop between 15 and 20 degrees below zero by early Thursday morning. The dangerously cold air mass sweeping across the Upper Midwest marks one of the most severe early-December cold snaps in recent years.
Snow flurries may linger today before skies briefly clear, but don’t expect warmth to return. Thursday’s high struggles to reach 14°F, while northwest winds of 10 to 15 mph will make it feel even colder. Forecasters say exposed skin can freeze in less than 30 minutes in these conditions.
Drivers should use caution as flash freezing remains a threat. Slush or melted snow will refreeze quickly during the evening, especially on bridges and shaded roads along I-94 and Highway 41. Keep extra layers, a blanket, and an emergency kit in your vehicle in case of delays.
The bitter air eases slightly by the weekend, but new snow chances return Friday night into Saturday, potentially coating roads with another slick glaze.
Five-Day Outlook:
• Thursday: Sunny but frigid, high 14°, wind chills -15° to -20°.
• Friday: Cloudy, high 24°, snow chance late (20–30%).
• Saturday: Partly sunny, high 27°, light snow possible.
• Sunday: Cloudy, high 28°, continued chill.
• Monday: Mostly cloudy, high 31°.
