Milwaukee and much of southeast Wisconsin face the potential for snow squalls later today as a strong cold front moves through the region, according to the National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan. Light to moderate rain is expected through the morning and into the early afternoon before conditions briefly turn drier. However, attention quickly turns to the late afternoon and evening hours, when rapidly changing weather could create hazardous travel conditions.
As colder air surges in behind the front between approximately 4 PM and 8 PM, narrow but intense bands of snow may develop and sweep eastward across the area. These snow squalls are expected to be short-lived but impactful, capable of producing sudden bursts of heavy snow accompanied by gusty winds up to 35 miles per hour. Visibility may drop quickly and without warning, especially during the evening commute, making travel dangerous even though overall snow accumulation is expected to be minimal.
One of the biggest concerns following the snow squalls is a flash freeze. As temperatures fall rapidly behind the front, any remaining moisture on roads—including puddles, slush, or earlier rainfall—may freeze quickly on untreated surfaces. This could lead to icy roads developing in a short amount of time, increasing the risk for slide-offs and traffic slowdowns.
The highest risk window aligns with peak travel hours, which heightens the potential impact despite the brief duration of the snow. Motorists are urged to remain alert for rapidly changing conditions, reduce speeds, and increase following distances if snow squalls develop. Even areas that appear clear minutes earlier could become slick and hazardous in a very short period.
Overall, while snow totals are expected to remain light, the combination of sudden snowfall, gusty winds, and sharply falling temperatures makes today’s weather situation one to monitor closely across Milwaukee and surrounding communities.
