Wisconsin starts the morning with crisp air and dry pavement, but winter signals grow louder by nightfall. Sunshine offers a brief calm early, then clouds thicken and moisture returns, setting up a slippery stretch as colder air pushes in.
According to the National Weather Service, Milwaukee begins near 37 degrees with light winds. Conditions stay quiet through midday, helping roads remain dry. That changes late today as clouds increase and rain develops this evening, especially near Lake Michigan. South winds strengthen, occasionally gusty, which can push spray across lanes on I-94 and city arterials.
As temperatures hover near the freezing mark tonight, rain may briefly mix with snow. Accumulation looks limited for now, but slushy patches could form where heavier bursts occur. Bridges and overpasses cool fastest and may turn slick first. Slow down and increase following distance during evening travel.
Thursday brings a wetter window. Periods of rain continue, with a chance of rain changing to snow late as colder air deepens. Winds increase, gusting at times, which can drop visibility during heavier showers. By Thursday night, temperatures plunge into the teens, raising a flash-freeze concern as any leftover moisture hardens quickly.
Friday turns sharply colder but brighter. Skies clear, highs struggle into the mid-20s, and wind chills bite. Roads may look dry yet remain slick early, especially before sunrise. This pattern marks an early Winter tease as a larger storm targets the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, bringing heavier snow north and east of Milwaukee into Friday night.
For Christmas travel, Saturday trends cloudy with a slight chance of rain or snow, then colder air returns Saturday night. Sunday stays mostly sunny but chilly, a reminder winter driving habits are back.
Five-Day Outlook for Milwaukee
- Today: Sunny early, clouds later, high near 37
- Thursday: Rain, late snow chance, high near 45
- Friday: Sunny, much colder, high near 24
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy, slight mix chance, high near 38
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, colder, high near 25
