Milwaukee is waking up to a mild, breezy Tuesday, with temperatures hovering near 70°F at Mitchell International, but the calm start will not stick around all day. Showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected later, and gusty winds could easily derail outdoor plans. The main window for rain runs from the morning into early afternoon, with most spots picking up light totals under a tenth of an inch, although brief heavier downpours are still on the table. Highs will reach the mid 70s before a cooler air mass drops temperatures into the mid 40s Tuesday night.
Morning Showers And Gusty Winds
Showers and thunderstorms are most likely before 1 p.m., with a slight chance that a few linger into the early afternoon. Temperatures will climb to around 74°F, then slip back into the upper 60s later in the day. West winds around 15 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph, could rattle outdoor events and make things tricky for high profile vehicles.
Lake Michigan: Fog And Small Craft Advisory
A Dense Fog Advisory is in effect tonight through Tuesday morning for the north half of Lake Michigan, and a Small Craft Advisory is posted from Sheboygan to Winthrop Harbor from early Tuesday morning into the afternoon. Before sunrise, fog may sharply cut visibility, and behind the front, gusty winds will kick up choppy water. Boaters should delay departures if possible or use extra caution and keep an eye on the marine forecast from NWS Milwaukee.
Cooler Midweek, Rain Returns Friday
High pressure and northeast winds will bring a cooler, drier stretch Wednesday and Thursday, with highs only in the low 50s and overnight lows near the low 40s. Rain chances pick up again Friday into Friday night, with probabilities around 50 to 65 percent and more widespread showers possible. Memorial Day looks mostly sunny with highs near 74°F. For more background on the setup, see our earlier forecast.
Plan Ahead
Secure loose patio furniture and have a solid backup plan for outdoor activities, since gusty winds and passing showers could interrupt the day. Drivers this morning should be ready for brief heavy rain and reduced visibility at times. Boat trips are best postponed, given the dense fog and advisory level winds, and anyone driving high profile vehicles should take it slow in especially windy stretches. For the latest conditions and any updated advisories, monitor local alerts and the National Weather Service.
