Milwaukee is starting Monday with lower to middle 40s over most of the area and temperatures around 50 degrees near the lakeshore, but the calm opening is temporary: mostly sunny skies will give way to strong winds, thunderstorms and dangerous Lake Michigan conditions. The roughest stretch arrives after dark and into Tuesday morning, when south to southwest gusts could reach 20 to 25 knots and gales could reach 35 knots over parts of Lake Michigan, while storms may bring bursts of heavy rain.
Sunny Monday Turns Windy By Afternoon
Monday should reach the lower 70s across most of the area, with showers and a few storms possible from the afternoon into the evening. Southeast winds will increase through the afternoon, gusting 15 to 20 knots, or approximately 17 to 23 mph. Clouds will build tonight, with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 p.m. and more likely storms after midnight.
The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan says locally heavy rain and urban or small-stream flooding are possible from late Monday night into Tuesday morning. Rainfall totals of roughly a tenth to a quarter inch are expected, with higher amounts possible where storms repeat over the same areas.
Lake Michigan Beaches Face A High Swim Risk
Waves are expected to build, with strong south winds making piers, breakwalls and the water itself hazardous.
Officials are urging people to stay out of the water and away from exposed shoreline structures. The lake may look inviting under Monday's sunshine, but conditions can turn dangerous well before the storms arrive.
Tuesday Brings More Storms
Showers and thunderstorms are likely before 1 p.m. Tuesday, followed by a cloudy afternoon with a high near 75 degrees. Southwest winds of 10 to 20 mph may gust to 30 mph, and showers and storms are possible Tuesday morning.
The updated storm timing and new beach advisory add a sharper edge to the outlook covered in an earlier Hoodline forecast. Tuesday night could see showers and thunderstorms.
Wet Pattern Lingers Into Late Week
Wednesday brings a 30 to 70 percent chance of showers, followed by a more unsettled period Wednesday night and Thursday, when showers and thunderstorms are likely. Rain is possible during that stretch.
Friday is expected to be mostly sunny. More showers are possible Saturday morning, while another system may affect the area later in the weekend.
