Milwaukee woke up to a pretty friendly start Saturday, with temperatures lounging in the upper 60s and a steady southwest breeze. By mid-afternoon, though, that laid-back vibe is expected to shift. Highs will climb into the mid-80s, and forecasters are calling for showers and scattered thunderstorms to fire up later in the day. If you have a cookout, festival stop, or lakefront stroll on the agenda, keep in mind that some storms could pack strong gusts and small hail.
Afternoon Storms and Gusty Winds
According to the National Weather Service Milwaukee, the best window for showers and thunderstorms arrives after about 4 p.m., with around a 50 percent chance of rain in the city. Southwest winds should run about 10 to 15 mph, but gusts could punch up to 30 mph, and an isolated storm could produce damaging wind or hail.
Additional showers and storms are expected to linger Saturday night into early Sunday, with new rainfall totals between a quarter and a half inch possible. Behind the system, Sunday turns noticeably cooler, with highs near 67°F and northwest winds of 10 to 15 mph making it feel like a different weekend altogether.
Overnight Into Sunday
Rain should ease up by Sunday morning, but not before a few heavier pockets sweep through. Those downpours could briefly make roads slick and visibility lousy, especially after dark. If you have evening plans, make sure you have a backup option, since quick-hitting downpours and bursts of gusty wind are the main short-term issues.
Forecasters say the unsettled pattern is not a one-and-done deal. Another round of storm chances is already on the board for Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
How to Prepare
Plan on giving yourself extra time for the evening drive and bring in or tie down anything lightweight in the yard or on the balcony. The most likely headaches are downed small branches and some standing water in the usual low spots.
For more on the setup behind the storms, see severe storms target afternoon, and keep an eye on local alerts before you head out.
