Rain chances return midweek across Wisconsin, with a chance for thunderstorms by Thursday. Here’s what to watch.
After a quiet start to the week, the weather pattern across Wisconsin is set to turn more active by midweek. Rain chances return and there is even a hint of thunder in the forecast.
3 Things To Know:
- Rain chances return Wednesday into Thursday
- Thunder possible near the Wisconsin and Illinois border Thursday
- Cooler air moves back in by Friday and Saturday
High pressure will keep conditions relatively calm through Tuesday. Expect a mix of clouds and mild temperatures as the atmosphere begins to transition.
Rain chances build Wednesday
Changes begin to unfold by Wednesday as a frontal boundary sets up to the south and west of the state. That boundary will act as a focus for developing precipitation as warmer air moves into the region.
Rain chances on Wednesday remain on the lower side, around 20 percent. Much of this activity will be driven by warm air advection and increasing cloud cover.
Thunder possible Thursday
Confidence increases heading into Thursday as a stronger wave of low pressure moves along that boundary.
The current setup suggests the best chance for more organized precipitation will be near the Wisconsin and Illinois border. There is also enough instability for a few rumbles of thunder, though this is not expected to be a severe weather setup at this time.
Cooling trend returns late week
Behind this system, cooler air returns to close out the week. Temperatures will trend back closer to seasonal norms by Friday and Saturday.
In late March, both Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin, experience a transition from winter to spring, with average daily highs warming from the low 40s to the upper 40s or low 50s Fahrenheit.
Madison: Average highs are around 45°F early in the month, climbing to near 50°F by March 31st.
Milwaukee: Average highs rise from 37°F early in March to approximately 48°F by the end of the month
What to watch:
- Increasing clouds and spotty rain chances by Wednesday
- Better chance for rain and possible thunder on Thursday
- Cooling trend returns late week
- Bookmark our Forecasts Page for updates
