Weather
La Crosse, WI Freeze Warning: Lows in 20s Saturday, Oct. 17
LA CROSSE, WI – Residents across western Wisconsin, southeastern Minnesota and northeastern Iowa face two weather concerns Friday, October 16, as gusty northwest winds sweep through the region ahead o
By Evan Cross · 2026-10-16T10:23:00.212Z
LA CROSSE, WI – Residents across western Wisconsin, southeastern Minnesota and northeastern Iowa face two weather concerns Friday, October 16, as gusty northwest winds sweep through the region ahead of a widespread overnight freeze. Temperatures could plunge into the 20s by early Saturday morning, October 17, threatening cold sensitive vegetation.
According to the National Weather Service in La Crosse, northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph are expected Friday morning and afternoon, with gusts generally reaching 30 to 40 mph.
Stronger gusts up to 45 mph are possible during showers , particularly west of the Mississippi River.
The gusty conditions could blow around unsecured outdoor objects and make travel difficult for high profile vehicles, including trucks, recreational vehicles and trailers.
Communities across the region, including La Crosse, Eau Claire, Rochester and surrounding areas, should prepare for changing conditions throughout Friday.
As winds diminish and colder air settles across the region Friday night, temperatures are forecast to fall below freezing across a widespread area.
The National Weather Service has issued freeze warnings covering much of the region , with overnight lows expected to range from the 20s to lower 30s.
The freezing conditions are expected to continue into Saturday morning, creating a significant threat to gardens, flowers and other cold sensitive vegetation.
Residents are encouraged to secure lightweight outdoor furniture, decorations and trash containers before the strongest winds arrive Friday.
Gardeners should also take precautions before sunset by covering vulnerable plants or moving potted vegetation indoors.
Drivers, particularly those operating high profile vehicles, should remain alert for sudden crosswinds on exposed highways and rural roads.
The combination of gusty winds Friday and freezing temperatures overnight marks a notable transition toward colder autumn weather across the Upper Midwest.