More record warmth before a cold front brings a strong storm threat Wednesday night
We already have one record in the books this week from Tuesday's high and we are watching two more that likely get broken on Wednesday. The high temperature of 81 degrees on Tuesday tied the old record from 1937. So far Wednesday the low has only dropped to 69 degrees which would shatter the record for warmest low temp but that record won't become official until midnight in case we cool more. The record high for Wednesday of 78 degrees is also likely in jeopardy with a current forecast of 79 degrees.
After the warmth on Wednesday a strong cold front rolls through Wisconsin Wednesday night dropping temps throughout the day on Thursday. We may still be around 70 degrees at midnight which would be the "high" then fall into the 60s shown below for morning temps then drop into the 50s in the afternoon and 40s Halloween evening. That sets up a very chilly day Friday with highs only around 50 before some warming for the weekend.
The wind will continue to stay strong as well. Peak wind gusts Tuesday ranged from 30-40 mph and we will see similar numbers again Wednesday and Thursday with gusts from 20-40 mph. Finally on Friday the wind will die down to only 5-10 mph.
The cold front Wednesday night won't just drop temperatures, but also gives us a good threat for showers and a few storms. The best timing for rain will be from 9 PM Wednesday through noon on Thursday.
Some of the storms initially Wednesday night through 1 AM Thursday could be strong in western counties like Fond du Lac, Dodge, Jefferson and Walworth before the line weakens as it moves east. Lingering showers are likely in lakeside communities with a few last showers in mid/late morning Thursday before we dry out for trick-or-treating. Damaging wind and heavy rain will be the main threats with any storms although a tornado cannot be ruled out.
The heaviest rain Wednesday night into Thursday morning will likely fall in our western counties where around a half inch of rain is likely. As the line of showers weakens, rain totals will decrease with lakeside communities only seeing a tenth to quarter inch of rain.
Download the CBS 58 Ready Weather app to track how temperature fall during Halloween and track any strong storms with the interactive radar.