Dangerous –25°F Wind Chills Grip Wisconsin–Minnesota Region as Light Snow Targets Upper Mississippi Valley by Saturday
CROSSE, WISCONSIN — A biting surge of Arctic air is sweeping across the Upper Mississippi Valley this morning, delivering wind chills between –15°F and –25°F from southeast Minnesota through northeast Iowa and into western Wisconsin. The frigid air is raw, unmoving, and cold enough to sting exposed skin within minutes, creating hazardous conditions for early commuters and school drop-offs.
Subzero Wind Chills Continue as Temperatures Stay Locked in the Single Digits
According to the National Weather Service in La Crosse, temperatures will remain in the single digits today before dipping again tonight. Wind chills will continue to run 15 to 25 degrees below zero, especially in open rural areas west of the Mississippi River.
Residents should expect:
- Rapid heat loss and frostbite risks during outdoor exposure
- Icy stretches on side roads and rural highways
- Difficult morning commutes as untreated surfaces remain frozen
Drivers heading east or west along I-90 should use caution during peak travel hours.
Friday Brings a 60% Chance of Light Snow, Especially West of the River
The first weather shift arrives Friday as clouds build and a 60% chance of light snow develops in the afternoon. While snowfall totals will remain minor — generally a coating to one inch — slick conditions are likely across:
- I-90
- Highway 61
- Local bridges and shaded roadways
Even light snow combined with subfreezing pavement temperatures may reduce traction quickly during the evening commute.
Another Snow Chance Late Saturday With Bitter Cold Lingering
Saturday stays partly sunny but cold, with highs near 22°F and colder air returning overnight. Another round of light snow is possible late Saturday into early Sunday, though totals are expected to stay light.
Roads could refreeze rapidly after sunset, especially in low-lying and rural areas where temperatures plunge back into the teens. Wind chills near –10°F will persist through Sunday morning.
Active Winter Pattern May Return December 11–17
Meteorologists are monitoring a broader pattern shift expected between December 11 and 17, when the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes may see the region’s first widespread pre-holiday travel disruption. Early indications point to the potential for:
- More organized snow systems
- Renewed Arctic air
- Lake-effect snow bands extending into Wisconsin and Minnesota
Travelers across the region should prepare for more impactful winter weather as this pattern evolves.
Five-Day Outlook for La Crosse, Wisconsin
Thursday: Sunny, high 15°F, low 8°F, wind chills –25°F early
Friday: 60% snow chance, high 28°F, low 13°F
Saturday: Partly sunny, high 22°F, low 13°F
Sunday: Mostly sunny, high 14°F, low 4°F
Monday: Cloudy, high 25°F, light snow possible
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