Severe Storms, Flooding Again Threat Milwaukee Area Friday

MILWAUKEE, WI — The Milwaukee area woke up Friday to fog and poor visibility, but the bigger weather threat is expected to arrive later today and tonight, when severe thunderstorms and heavy rain could move into southeast Wisconsin, causing yet more flooding.

The National Weather Service says the fog should mainly clear by 10 a.m., followed by a mostly sunny day with a high near 72.

That quieter stretch is not expected to last.

The National Weather Service has a Hazardous Weather Outlook in effect for much of southern Wisconsin, warning that another round of heavy rainfall, flooding and severe thunderstorms is expected this afternoon into tonight. An enhanced risk, level 3 out of 5, covers the western half of the Milwaukee weather service area.

Forecasters say all severe hazards are possible, including tornadoes, large hail and damaging winds. Storms are expected to begin farther west before shifting east across the state, with damaging winds and tornadoes becoming more of a concern as the line moves east.

For the Milwaukee area and other eastern parts of southern Wisconsin, the main window to watch is later in the day and evening. Based on the Weather Service timeline and local forecast, the highest concern for Milwaukee comes tonight.

A Flood Watch is also in effect from 1 p.m. Friday through 7 a.m. Saturday for Milwaukee and much of southern Wisconsin. The Weather Service says repeated rounds of rain over already saturated ground could lead to flash flooding, with another 0.50 to 1.25 inches of rain expected and locally higher amounts up to 2 inches possible.

Milwaukee's forecast calls for just a slight chance of thunderstorms late this afternoon, then showers and thunderstorms tonight, some of which could be severe. Rain chances rise to 100 percent tonight, with a quarter-inch to half-inch of rain possible in the Milwaukee area.

Flooding is already an issue in parts of the region. The Weather Service said flood warnings continue for several rivers, including the Root River at Franklin in Milwaukee County, where minor flooding is occurring. Officials warned motorists not to drive through flooded areas.

After the storms move out, temperatures will crash. Milwaukee is expected to fall from a high near 72 Friday to a high of just 47 on Saturday.

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

Today

A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Widespread fog, mainly before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tonight

Showers and thunderstorms before 1am, then a chance of showers between 1am and 4am. Some of the storms could be severe. Patchy fog after 8pm. 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 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 47. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 33. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. West wind around 10 mph.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Monday

Sunny, with a high near 51. Light east wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Monday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Southeast wind around 10 mph.

Tuesday

Partly sunny, with a high near 68.

Tuesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 61.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.

Thursday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.