Milwaukee is waking up to a chilly, gray soaker, with light rain falling and temperatures stuck in the mid-30s at Mitchell International Airport. Showers are expected to hang around for much of the day as south winds crank up, sending highs into the upper 40s to near 50°F and turning Sunday into a wet, blustery grind. Late tonight colder air barges in and the steady rain will flip to sleet and then snow, setting the stage for a tricky Monday morning commute on March 16, as reported by the National Weather Service.
Afternoon: Steady Rain And Gusty Winds
Through the afternoon, plan on a cold, persistent rain with temperatures topping out near 50°F. South winds are forecast to run 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph, and rainfall totals of three quarters of an inch to as much as one inch are possible, according to the National Weather Service. It will feel raw, noisy and generally unpleasant outside, even without any snow yet.
Tonight Into Monday: Sleet, Freezing Rain, And Snow
Rain should ease up into the evening, then redevelop and start to change character late Sunday night into early Monday. Forecast timing calls for rain before 10 PM Sunday, then a messy mix with sleet and freezing rain late at night, followed by a change to all snow after midnight. Northwest winds of 20 to 25 mph with gusts around 40 to 45 mph could help whip up 1 to 3 inches of snow into patchy blowing and drifting, which will be more than enough to make roads slick and slow for the Monday commute.
Warnings And Who's Most At Risk
Milwaukee County is under a Winter Weather Advisory from Sunday night into Monday afternoon. Inland counties to the north and west have been upgraded to Winter Storm Warnings, where near‑blizzard conditions are possible for a time. This marks a substantive update to earlier wild weather plans as the timing and expected impacts have sharpened up.
Lake And Transit Impacts
Out on Lake Michigan, gale and storm conditions are likely, with heavy freezing spray possible right along the shoreline. That combination could disrupt shoreline boating and ferry operations, especially for anyone trying to squeeze in trips before the worst of the cold arrives. On land, drivers should be ready for slower highway speeds, potential lane closures, and scattered downed limbs during the peak wind periods, all of which can easily stretch out travel times.
Practical Tips
If you have to hit the road Monday morning, build in extra time, slow down, and leave more space than usual between vehicles. Keep an emergency kit in your car with basics like blankets, snacks, and a phone charger. If your plans are flexible, consider waiting until midday Monday to travel, after plows and road crews have had some time to get ahead of the slush and snow.
