Weather
Wisconsin-Iowa Weather Alert: 26° Freeze to 71° Oct 17-22
La Crosse, WI – Western Wisconsin and neighboring communities across northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota are preparing for a substantial temperature reversal, with freezing conditions expected earl
By Sophie Caldwell · 2026-10-16T09:05:46.245Z
La Crosse, WI – Western Wisconsin and neighboring communities across northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota are preparing for a substantial temperature reversal, with freezing conditions expected early Saturday, October 17, before afternoon temperatures climb into the upper 60s and lower 70s by the middle of next week. The National Weather Service has issued a widespread Freeze Warning as temperatures could fall as low as 26 degrees in portions of the region. By Wednesday and Thursday, La Crosse could reach 71 degrees, creating a dramatic contrast between the weekend's cold mornings and the warmer weather ahead.
According to the National Weather Service office in La Crosse, the Freeze Warning remains in effect from 1 a.m. until 9 a.m. Saturday across portions of western and central Wisconsin, northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota. Affected communities include La Crosse, Sparta, Viroqua, Prairie du Chien, Decorah, Rochester and Austin. The warning identifies temperatures as low as 26 degrees across the broader region, although the specific forecast for La Crosse calls for a Saturday morning low near 31 degrees.
Freezing Start Gives Way to a Warmer Pattern The freezing temperatures could damage sensitive vegetation, crops and unprotected outdoor plumbing. Homeowners with gardens and farmers managing late season crops should take precautions before temperatures drop early Saturday. The National Weather Service specifically warns that frost and freeze conditions could kill vulnerable plants, making Friday an important preparation period ahead of the weekend.
For La Crosse, widespread frost is expected mainly after 4 a.m. Saturday and could persist until approximately 9 a.m. Sunshine should then push temperatures to around 57 degrees by the afternoon. This recovery marks the beginning of a broader warming trend that continues through much of the following week, replacing the chilly conditions with increasingly mild autumn weather.
Temperatures Approach 70 Degrees Next Week Sunday, October 18, brings a noticeable improvement, with sunshine and an afternoon high near 63 degrees. South winds between 9 and 14 mph could gust to 24 mph, although no significant weather hazards are indicated in the local forecast. Temperatures should remain relatively mild Sunday night, falling to approximately 42 degrees.
Monday continues the warming trend as mostly sunny skies allow temperatures to reach around 65 degrees. Light winds and dry conditions should provide favorable weather for outdoor activities, travel and the beginning of the workweek. Drivers along Interstate 90, U.S. Highway 53 and other regional routes are not facing any forecast weather related closures, although conditions can change as updated forecasts become available.
The warmest afternoons arrive Tuesday through Thursday. La Crosse is expected to reach 69 degrees Tuesday before climbing to 71 degrees Wednesday and Thursday. That represents a 40 degree difference between the forecast Saturday morning low of 31 degrees and the projected midweek afternoon highs, occurring gradually over several days rather than through a sudden temperature surge.
What Happens After the Warmup? The longer range forecast suggests the milder weather should continue through Thursday, October 22, with mostly sunny conditions Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday night introduces a 20% chance of showers, followed by another 20% chance Thursday. No additional freezing temperatures are indicated in the supplied La Crosse forecast through the end of that period.
Before the warmer pattern arrives, Friday's gusty conditions could create another temporary inconvenience. North winds between 16 and 22 mph are expected, with gusts reaching approximately 34 mph. Rain chances are highest during the morning before skies begin improving, setting the stage for Saturday's freezing temperatures and the subsequent warming trend.
Residents should protect sensitive plants before Saturday morning while preparing for considerably milder afternoons next week. The combination of freezing temperatures and a return to the lower 70s highlights the sharp weather changes possible across the Upper Mississippi Valley during October.
Are you protecting your plants from Saturday's freeze, or looking forward to temperatures approaching 70 degrees next week?
Five Day Weather Outlook Saturday 10/17: Widespread frost is expected mainly before 9 a.m., with a morning low near 31 degrees before sunshine pushes temperatures to approximately 57 degrees; winds could gust to 21 mph, followed by clear skies and a low near 40 degrees Saturday night.
Sunday 10/18: Sunny skies and an afternoon high near 63 degrees bring a noticeable improvement across the La Crosse area, with south winds gusting to 24 mph; mostly clear conditions follow Sunday night, with temperatures falling near 42 degrees.
Monday 10/19: Mostly sunny skies are expected with an afternoon high around 65 degrees and light winds, providing favorable conditions for outdoor activities; partly cloudy skies develop Monday night as temperatures drop to approximately 42 degrees.
Tuesday 10/20: Mostly sunny conditions continue as temperatures reach around 69 degrees, with light and variable winds creating a mild autumn afternoon; mostly clear skies are expected Tuesday night, with temperatures falling to approximately 47 degrees.
Wednesday 10/21: Mostly sunny skies bring temperatures near 71 degrees, among the warmest readings in the available forecast; south winds of 5 to 7 mph develop during the afternoon, followed by a 20% chance of showers Wednesday night and a low near 53 degrees.
Extended Weather Outlook Thursday, October 22: Partly sunny skies are expected with an afternoon high near 71 degrees. South winds between 3 and 7 mph should accompany the mild conditions, although a 20% chance of showers remains in the forecast.