Weather
Southern Wisconsin Freeze Alert: Lows Near 27° Saturday Morning Oct 17
JANESVILLE, WI – A significant drop in temperatures could bring freezing conditions to portions of southern Wisconsin this weekend, with overnight lows potentially reaching 27 degrees and threatening
By Cameron Hayes · 2026-10-15T19:13:08.982Z
JANESVILLE, WI – A significant drop in temperatures could bring freezing conditions to portions of southern Wisconsin this weekend, with overnight lows potentially reaching 27 degrees and threatening gardens, crops and exposed outdoor plumbing.
According to the National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan, a Freeze Watch has been expanded to include five additional counties from late Friday night through Saturday morning, October 17, as colder air moves into the region.
Five Counties Under Freeze Watch
The newly included counties are Rock, Walworth, Green, Iowa and Lafayette, affecting communities across southern and southwestern Wisconsin.
Cities under the watch include Janesville, Beloit, Lake Geneva, Elkhorn, Delavan, Whitewater, Monroe, Dodgeville, Mineral Point, Darlington and surrounding communities.
Forecasters warn that temperatures could fall to 27 degrees in some locations, bringing conditions cold enough to damage or kill sensitive vegetation.
Saturday Morning Brings Greatest Concern
The most significant freezing threat is expected late Friday night into early Saturday morning.
Residents with gardens, agricultural crops or outdoor plants should prepare before temperatures begin falling Friday evening.
Frost and freezing temperatures could also damage unprotected outdoor plumbing, particularly exposed pipes and fixtures.
What Residents Should Do Now
The National Weather Service encourages residents to take protective measures before the cold arrives.
Tender plants should be brought indoors when possible, while vulnerable outdoor vegetation can be covered with appropriate frost protection.
Residents should also consider protecting exposed outdoor plumbing and monitoring updated weather forecasts.
A Freeze Watch indicates that freezing temperatures are possible but not yet certain. The watch could be upgraded to a Freeze Warning if confidence increases.
Residents across southern Wisconsin should remain alert for additional updates heading into Saturday morning.