Wausau, Wis. – The National Weather Service in Green Bay has kept a Freeze Warning in effect through 9 a.m. Wednesday across north-central and central Wisconsin, as subfreezing temperatures plunge into the mid-20s overnight. The event is expected to bring an end to the 2025 growing season for much of the region.
Forecasters say clear skies and light winds will allow rapid cooling after midnight, with widespread frost and a hard freeze likely from Vilas and Oneida Counties south into Marathon, Wood, and Portage Counties. Lows between 24 and 26 degrees are forecast for Wausau, Rhinelander, Crandon, and Stevens Point, with the coldest readings in sheltered valleys.
According to the Weather Service, the freeze could kill crops and damage unprotected plumbing, urging residents to cover plants, drain hoses, and wrap outdoor pipes before temperatures bottom out.
Rural stretches along Highway 51, U.S. 8, and Highway 10 may see icy frost accumulation early Wednesday, potentially making bridges and elevated surfaces slick. Sunshine will return by mid-morning, but afternoon highs will stay in the upper 40s to near 50—well below average for early October.
Another cold night is expected Wednesday before a gradual warm-up heading into the weekend, though patchy frost may continue in low-lying areas.
