Wisconsin — The Mississippi River steams faintly at dawn as cold air pours into the Coulee Region. Sidewalks crunch under boots, and parked cars wear a thin shell of ice across La Crosse.
Morning temperatures sit in the single digits, but the cold feels sharper. Wind chills dip below zero early, making brief outdoor tasks uncomfortable and potentially unsafe. Calm winds limit blowing snow today, but the cold remains stubborn.
Skies stay mostly sunny through Saturday. Highs climb only into the teens today and near 19 degrees Saturday. Even with sunshine, shaded roads and sidewalks stay icy. Take extra care along bridges, river crossings, and elevated stretches near Highway 53 and Highway 35.
Conditions begin to change Sunday. Clouds thicken by midday as snow becomes likely during the afternoon. Snow chances reach around 70 percent, with light accumulations expected. Totals remain under an inch, but timing matters. Snow falling late Sunday may coat roads just as daylight fades.
Sunday night brings colder air back into play. Any melting during the afternoon can refreeze quickly, increasing the risk of slick travel into early Monday. Drivers should slow down and allow extra time, especially on untreated side streets and rural roads.
Monday turns partly sunny again, with highs near the mid-20s. That brief warming may offer some relief, but it also sets up another flash-freeze cycle Monday night as temperatures drop back into the teens.
Meteorologists continue watching the larger Arctic pattern. With the Great Lakes heavily iced, cold air remains locked across the Upper Midwest into early February. That setup favors repeated cold mornings and occasional light snow chances rather than a sustained warmup.
Five-Day Outlook for La Crosse, WI
• Today: Mostly sunny, high near 14
• Saturday: Sunny, high near 19
• Sunday: Snow likely, high near 23
• Monday: Partly sunny, high near 25
• Tuesday: Partly sunny, high near 27
