NWS Milwaukee Forecast Discussion
044
FXUS63 KMKX 230452
AFDMKX
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
1152 PM CDT Tue Sep 22 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- High Swim Risk conditions through the first half of Thursday
for all beaches along Lake Michigan.
- Slightly below normal temps continue for much of the week.
&&
.SHORT TERM...
Issued 1129 PM CDT Tue Sep 22 2026
Current Overnight through Wednesday Night:
Clear skies and subsidence will allow overnight lows to drop to
the low 50s over southeastern WI to the low 40s over central
WI. Patchy fog is expected in the Wisconsin River Valley.
This morning, some low clouds may move over southern Wisconsin
during the post-dawn hours, tied to moisture circulating around
a lingering upper level trough over the eastern Corn Belt.
While widespread showers are not expected, an isolated sprinkle
can`t be ruled out as these clouds move overhead from 5am into
the early afternoon. Otherwise it`ll shape up to be a mostly dry
day with a mix of sun and clouds. Highs will be in the low to
mid 60s as cool temperatures aloft continue to circulate around
the broad area of high pressure over eastern Canada.
Similar temperatures to tonight will occur Wednesday night with
lows ranging from the mid 40s well inland to low 50s by the
lakeshore.
Persistent east winds will continue to drive high swim risk
conditions at all local beaches along Lake Michigan as high
waves are being driven onshore. Dangerous wave and current
activity is expected through midday Thursday. Swimming is not
advised.
CMiller
&&
.LONG TERM...
Issued 1136 PM CDT Tue Sep 22 2026
Thursday through Tuesday:
High pressure will persist through Friday keeping conditions
cool and dry through that time. Expect daily highs Thursday and
Friday in the mid to upper 60s, with overnight lows in upper
40s to low 50s.
By Saturday high pressure over Eastern Canada will begin to
weaken some, allowing a wave of WAA to lean over east into the
upper MS Valley Region from the northern Great Plains. Some low
end PoPs from 15 to 30% may move into areas west of Madison
Saturday and then into the rest of the area Saturday night into
early Sunday. However, the high pressure is expected to hold
fast over the Upper Great Lakes as a lobe of it is squeezed
between a low near the Hudson Bay, and a projected Nor`easter
over New England. This causes precip chances to quickly die off
Sunday morning and dry conditions to then persist again through
Monday next week. Rain may return next Tuesday as a larger low
pressure system finally works into the central MS River Valley.
CMiller
&&
.AVIATION...
Issued 1131 PM CDT Tue Sep 22 2026
Mostly VFR conditions persist overnight with some MVFR cloud
cover and isolated sprinkles moving overhead in far
southeastern WI at KMKE, KRAC, and KENW after dawn on
Wednesday. Patchy fog is likely overnight in the Wisconsin
River Valley.
Breezy east winds continue along the lakeshore while
lighter northeasterly winds persist inland. Winds become more
east- northeasterly tomorrow afternoon with modest breezes
everywhere.
CMiller
&&
.MARINE...
Issued 1118 PM CDT Tue Sep 22 2026
High pressure will largely remain in place to the northeast of
the Great Lakes region through Thursday. Gusty east to northeast
winds are expected during this time with Small Craft Advisory
criteria waves lingering into Thursday morning. Winds look to
gradually diminish and turn east southeasterly toward the end of
the week, as the high pressure system slowly retreats eastward
for a time before it returns late this weekend into early next
week as a nor`easter moves up the eastern seaboard and nudges
the high back west.
CMiller
&&
.MKX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...Beach Hazards Statement...WIZ052-WIZ060-WIZ066-WIZ071-WIZ072
until 1 PM Thursday.
LM...Small Craft Advisory...LMZ643-LMZ644-LMZ645-LMZ646 until 1 PM
Thursday.
&&
$$
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