Good morning. Wisconsin. I'm Aaron Jolly.
Well, we woke up to a soggy surprise, didn’t we? Nearly an inch of rain fell overnight — 0.87 inches to be exact — with a steady light drizzle still lingering this morning. That’s a lot of moisture for early March. And it’s setting the stage for a wild weather week ahead. But first… let’s talk about today’s dramatic shift.
A strong cold front is sweeping through the state right now, bringing a **20-degree temperature plunge** by this afternoon. You read that right — highs that started near 60 this morning will drop into the 40s by midday. Classic Wisconsin: one minute you’re thinking about spring, the next you’re reaching for the winter coat again.
Here comes the breakdown:
**Southeast Wisconsin** hangs onto warmth the longest. Milwaukee and the lakefront start near **59 degrees** this morning, but winds shift to the west by **10 A.M.**. And temperatures **fall fast** through the 40s. A slight chance of rain lingers until about **10 A.M.**, then it’s just cloudy and breezy, with gusts up to **25 miles an hour**. Tonight? A chilly **35 degrees** — feeling more like late February than almost-spring.
**South Central Wisconsin** — Madison, you’re next. Highs **top out at 55 degrees** early, then drop to the low 40s by afternoon. A brief rain chance around **7 A.M.** gives way to clearing skies, but don’t be fooled — west winds at **10 to 15 miles an hour** will make it feel even cooler. Tonight dips to **33 degrees**, so any standing water from this morning’s rain might turn slick in spots.
**Northeast Wisconsin** is where things get interesting. Green Bay and the Fox Valley start near **51 degrees**, but patchy fog and a wintry mix — yes, *snow* — could make for a tricky morning commute, especially north of Highway 64. Vilas and Oneida Counties are under a **Special Weather Statement** until **11 A.M.** for slippery roads as rain transitions to a light glaze of ice. Highs here **fall into the 40s** by afternoon, with overnight lows near **33 degrees**. Not exactly balmy, but at least the fog clears by midday.
The bigger story? This is just the appetizer. **Sunday and Monday bring a taste of spring** — highs in the **upper 50s to mid-60s** statewide, with southwest winds gusting to **35 miles an hour**. But then… **Tuesday hits like a freight train.** Rain moves in by afternoon, followed by a **sharp cold snap** that turns wet roads icy overnight. By Wednesday, we’re talking **highs in the 30s**, rain mixing with snow. And even a chance of **freezing rain** up north. Yes, in *March*. Classic Wisconsin whiplash.
Here’s what’s coming this week:
Sunday stays sunny and **breezy**, with highs near **60** — perfect weather to tap those maple trees if you’re up north. Monday gets even warmer, pushing **mid-60s** in Madison. Soak it up. Tuesday brings rain by afternoon, then **turns to snow** north of Highway 29 overnight as highs **crash back to the 40s**. Wednesday turns messy with a mix of rain, snow. And freezing rain, where highs **struggle to hit 40**. Thursday and Friday bring more chances for **rain and snow**, with highs stuck in the **40s**.
In One last note, all that rain we got? It’s got rivers running high and ice breaking up fast. The NWS warns about **ice jam flooding** on susceptible rivers early next week. And **ice floes** could be a hazard on Green Bay Sunday into Monday. If you’re near the water, keep an eye out.
Oh. And here’s a bright spot — we’re **gaining nearly 3 minutes of daylight** every day now. Sunrise today at **6:25 A.M.**, sunset at **5:55 P.M.**. And the spring equinox is just **13 days away**. Hang in there. Wisconsin — warmer days *are* coming.
See you tomorrow.
See you this afternoon.
