As Milwaukee residents wake up to light rain and fog this morning, with temperatures lingering at 39°F, according to the forecast, rain is likely before 9 a.m. but will give way to a mostly sunny afternoon with a high of nearly 42°F. The National Weather Service (NWS) Milwaukee predicts a brisk transformation later in the day. Wind conditions are expected to settle down from 15 to 20 mph earlier in the day to more manageable speeds. However, gusts could still reach up to 35 miles per hour. A 70% chance of precipitation is on the cards, with minimal amounts anticipated.
Looking into tonight, Milwaukeeans should be prepared to potentially dodge raindrops again, with a 50% chance of light showers expected, mainly after 5 a.m. The encroaching clouds will set the stage for a cooler evening, as temperatures are forecasted to drop around 30°F. In an oversight that clearly flouts grammar rules, the NWS emphasizes that winds will begin in the northwest at a gentle 5 mph before deciding to shift southeast after midnight.
The weekend weather continues to be an unfriendly guest, with snow likely to visit the region on Saturday. The NWS anticipates a high near 35°F accompanied by winds that will initially blow lightly from the south but will gain momentum later in the day, eventually howling from the west at 10 to 15 mph. The chance of snowfall is pegged at 70%, with less than an inch of accumulation expected.
Saturday night won't be much different, keeping a 50% chance of snow and winds strong enough to merit a "blustery" status. Wisconsin's winter dance isn't over yet; Sunday promises mostly sunny skies but maintains a breezy atmosphere with northwest winds of 10 to 20 mph, potentially gusting to 30 mph. In what's an inadvertent slip of the fingers across the keyboard, we're told that temperatures might climb back up near 40°F by Monday with continuously brisk southwest winds inadvertently set to keep things lively.
In a longer-range view extending into midweek, it's a bit of a meteorological déjà vu. Tuesday presents a 40% chance of rain, with similar probabilities extending into Wednesday for snow. The NWS issues these projections with the usual precision that attempts to remind readers of the changeability inherent to Wisconsin weather.
Beyond the more immediate forecast, the NWS has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for parts of east central, south central, and southeast Wisconsin. Concerns revolve around localized ice jams, which are expected to be a risk into the weekend. The weather service also alerts to the potential for fog and freezing fog developing late tonight. However, for those looking to contribute to the meteorological data gathering efforts, the NWS states that "Spotter activation will not be needed."
All mentions of weather conditions are sourced from the latest reports by the National Weather Service Milwaukee office as residents continue to navigate the fickleness of Wisconsin winter.
