Milwaukee woke up on the chilly side Thursday, with clear skies and a brisk 36°F at the KMKE observation site as a Frost Advisory lingered through 8 a.m. CDT on May 7, 2026. Low-lying and inland spots could see frost or even pockets of patchy freezing, so anyone eager to get their garden going was urged to protect sensitive plants before sunrise. The payoff for the cold start: a climb into the upper 50s later today, a southwest breeze, and only a small shot at light, spotty showers that should leave most areas with under a tenth of an inch of rain.
Morning Frost Advisory
The Frost Advisory runs until 8 a.m. CDT, warning that temperatures could slip to around 30°F, with some sheltered inland pockets dipping into the upper 20s west of a Green Lake to Burlington line, according to the National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan. The NWS advice is straightforward: "Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold." That means bringing potted plants inside or covering garden beds, especially if they sit in low spots where cold air settles.
Afternoon Showers and Commute
Once the frost threat lifts, skies are expected to turn partly sunny, with a high near 58°F and southwest winds around 5 to 10 mph. Forecasters are calling for about a 20 to 30 percent chance of light rain showers this afternoon, with new rainfall totals generally under a tenth of an inch. In other words, it is a pack-the-light-rain-jacket kind of day rather than a full-on downpour. Tonight looks mostly clear, with a low near 40°F and only a slight chance of showers before 7 p.m.
Weekend Warm-Up
By Friday, temperatures climb into the mid-60s and then peak near 71°F on Saturday ahead of a weak frontal passage. Saturday may bring west winds of 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph and a slight chance of afternoon showers. Sunday trends cooler again, back toward 60°F, while a faster-moving system is on track to deliver the best chance for measurable rain next Tuesday, when forecasters put the probability near 60 percent. For a deeper dive on the early-May chill and the upcoming pattern, check out Milwaukee wakes to frost.
What To Do
If you are trying to outsmart the frost, cover or move potted plants indoors overnight and hold off on planting warm-season seedlings if you can. Ahead of Saturday, it is also a good idea to secure loose patio furniture before the gustier winds arrive. And if you have outdoor plans lined up next week, keep an eye on local forecasts and updates from the National Weather Service.
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