textproduct: La Crosse

KEY MESSAGES

- Dry conditions this week with gradual warming to slightly above normal temperatures by midweek.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1245 PM CDT Mon Oct 19 2026

This Afternoon through Thursday: Warm and Dry

Mainly zonal flow aloft is forecast for the first few days of this new work week. This pattern will keep afternoon temperatures mild, albeit slightly above average, with forecast highs mainly in the 60s but some locations may reach 70 on any of these days. In fact, the potential for highs to reach or exceed 70 degrees starts becoming more favorable by Wednesday with the 19/13z NBM showing around a 30- 50% chance of reaching the 70 degree mark. Also by Wednesday, H500 ridging starts to build north over the central CONUS which further increases the confidence in above average temperatures through this week. Dry conditions will continue given this projected upper level pattern.

Friday into the Weekend: Dry Conditions Likely Continue

The central axis of the aforementioned ridge should move east over the Upper Midwest on Friday into Saturday, leading to continued dry and warm conditions. Weaker troughing across the eastern US along with a deepening, progressive trough across the west should push the ridge off to the east late this weekend, or at the very least suppress the ridge further south. As this occurs, it may open up the door to the potential for light precipitation and cooler conditions to return. Forecast guidance unsurprisingly has timing differences among other differing variables so confidence is low for any precipitation at this point.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 636 PM CDT Mon Oct 19 2026

As a shortwave trough moves away from the region tonight. Skies will clear. There may be some patchy valley fog overnight. This might impact KLSE.

ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

WI...None. MN...None. IA...None.