textproduct: La Crosse

KEY MESSAGES

- Light snow returns this evening to north central Wisconsin where areas north of I-94 could see up to a half inch of snow.

- Cold conditions remain through the week as highs generally stay in the single digits to low teens and low temperatures mostly stay in the single digits below zero.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 121 PM CST Mon Jan 26 2026

Today-Friday: Cold Conditions Continue, Mostly Dry

Northwest flow remains over the Upper Midwest through Friday as the area continues to be under the influence of a longwave trough. A few shortwave troughs move through the area throughout the week, but the better snow chances remain mostly off to our north for the early to mid week and to our south for the latter portion of the week. There is a wave that moves through tonight that will bring up to a 0.5" of snow for locations north of I-94. Temperatures during the week remain well below normal with highs in the single digits and low teens with low temperatures mainly in the single digits below zero.

Saturday-Early Next Week: Seasonable Temperatures

Ensemble cluster analysis favors the ridge to shift east which would allow for more seasonable temperatures in the mid to upper 20s. This shift also means a potential switch to a more active period. GEFS and EPS members show measurable snowfall a few times next week. As we are still a week away from these snow chances, there is still quite a bit of uncertainty regarding storm track and intensity. The more confident part of the forecast the return to near normal or slightly above normal temperatures.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 1138 PM CST Mon Jan 26 2026

Main TAF impacts mostly in the immediate term with vigorous, quick-hitting line of snow showers progressing southeast through the forecast area and a subsequent mix of MVFR-VFR ceilings to follow. Have added impacts to both TAF sites (TEMPO KRST / PROB30 KLSE) given ongoing radar and accompanying surface observations.

While low level cold air advection lingering into the late morning threatens low level saturation and MVFR ceilings, a very dry upstream airmass limits any confidence. Therefore, have kept VFR with increased west-northwest surface winds through the period but will be forecast detail to monitor.

ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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