textproduct: Milwaukee/Sullivan

KEY MESSAGES

- 60 percent chance for light snow for east central WI on Saturday then again for much of S WI Sunday evening. At least some minor snow accumulation and hazardous travel in both instances.

- Polar air to remain over southern WI through the weekend, then relatively mild temperatures for next week.

SHORT TERM

Issued 129 PM CST Fri Jan 2 2026

Tonight through Sunday:

High pressure will prevail over MN this afternoon and tonight with a sfc ridge extending along the WI/IL border into the Ohio Valley. Mid to high clouds will then increase for tnt-Sat due to a shortwave trough tracking from NE to the srn Ohio Valley. Farther to the north, a couple vorticity maximums will track across nrn and central WI on Sat, with a stronger upper wave to follow across the nrn Great Lakes. The PVA and mid level warm advection is looking stronger for Sat and will now forecast 60 percent chances of lgt snow for east central WI with perhaps one half inch of snow accum. Polar high pressure will then settle over WI late Sat nt into Sun AM with decreasing clouds, followed by more clouds late Sun. Temps will remain a bit below normal through the weekend.

Gehring

LONG TERM

Issued 129 PM CST Fri Jan 2 2026

Sunday night through Friday:

A shortwave trough approaching from the west will pass Sunday evening. A surge of low to mid level warm advection and PVA will likely bring a burst of snow to S WI. Snow accums would still likely remain on the light side but greatest toward east central WI. A quasi-zonal jet stream and relatively mild temperatures are then forecast into the middle of the week followed by swly flow aloft and possible cyclogenesis late in the week. 20-30 percent chances for rain and snow is forecast Tue-Tue nt with 40-50 percent chances for rain Thu-Fri due to the aforementioned cyclogenesis.

Gehring

AVIATION

Issued 129 PM CST Fri Jan 2 2026

VFR conditions will prevail through tnt, then light snow will become likely on Saturday over east central WI. MVFR Cigs and Vsbys of 1-3SM are expected with the snow. The snow could expand farther south toward Madison and Milwaukee.

Gehring

MARINE

Issued 129 PM CST Fri Jan 2 2026

Modest to sometimes gusty west northwest winds will prevail this afternoon through Saturday night as low pressure continues to weaken over Hudson Bay, while a ridge of high pressure around 30.1 inches extends from Minnesota into the Ohio Valley. The high will then move across Lake MI on Sunday with light and variable winds. Breezy southerly winds will then develop Sunday night and linger into Monday morning as a wave of low pressure moves across the northern Great Lakes.

A Small Craft Advisory may be needed late Saturday night and Sunday morning north of Port Washington due to persistent south winds building wave heights to 3 to 5 feet.

Gehring

MKX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

WI...None. LM...None.