Icy Commute Then Severe Storms Thursday Across Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE, WI — A messy, two-phase weather system is set to hit Wisconsin through Thursday, bringing an icy morning commute followed by the potential for severe storms later in the day.

Freezing rain is expected to develop after 1 a.m., mainly north of the I-94 corridor, where temperatures will hover near or below freezing. Forecasters say ice accumulation of up to a tenth to two-tenths of an inch is possible in parts of central Wisconsin, with the greatest impacts on elevated and untreated surfaces like bridges and overpasses.

While some areas closer to Milwaukee and south of I-94 may stay warm enough to limit icing, slick spots are still possible during the Thursday morning commute.

By late morning into the afternoon, the system shifts gears.

Rain and thunderstorms are expected to redevelop, with conditions becoming favorable for severe weather, especially between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. The National Weather Service has placed parts of southern Wisconsin under a Level 3 out of 5 “enhanced risk,” meaning severe storms are likely.

Damaging winds are the primary concern, but forecasters say large hail and a few tornadoes are also possible. Localized flooding could develop as rainfall totals climb, with some areas seeing 1 to 2 inches of rain.

Storms are expected to organize into a line and push east through the evening, exiting between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Forecasters note that lingering morning rain and cooler temperatures near Lake Michigan could limit how intense storms become in some areas. Still, residents are urged to stay weather-aware throughout the day as conditions evolve.

Here's the full NWS forecast from the Milwaukee Airport:

Thursday: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 7am, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after 7am. High near 64. East wind 10 to 15 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Thursday Night: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10pm. Low around 41. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 39. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. South wind 10 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. West wind around 15 mph.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 46. Northwest wind around 15 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 48.

Monday Night: A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.