Honestly, if you looked out the window this morning in Milwaukee and thought about crawling back under the covers, nobody would blame you. It's one of those classic January days where the sky looks like a wet wool blanket and the air has that specific bite only Lake Michigan can provide.
Right now, it’s 35°F out there.
That sounds manageable on paper, right? But the "feels like" temperature is sitting at a much grittier 27°F. We’re dealing with a west wind kicking at 13 mph, which is just enough to make sure you feel every bit of that damp cold through your coat seams.
What’s the weather for today in milwaukee?
Basically, we are in the thick of a "clipper" system. These fast-moving Canadian systems love to dump a messy mix of light snow and wind on us before dragging in some seriously cold air behind them. Today is no different.
📖 Related: Easy Art Projects for Adults: Why Your Brain Craves Messy Creativity
While the current conditions are mostly cloudy with a light humidity around 79%, don't let the mid-day lull fool you. We’ve already seen some light snow and fog this morning, and the forecast for the rest of Friday, January 16, indicates that snow showers are going to be a recurring theme.
The high for today is expected to hit 36°F, but that’s the ceiling. As we move into the evening, things take a sharp turn. The low is going to bottom out at 16°F. That is a twenty-degree drop that's going to turn any slush on the side streets into solid ice rinks by tomorrow morning.
Survival Guide for the Potholes and Flurries
If you’re heading out to the Public Market or just commuting home from downtown, keep your eyes on the road. The daytime precipitation chance is pegged at 40%, specifically for snow showers. It isn't a blizzard, but it’s that annoying, persistent kind of snow that makes the visibility drop just when you're trying to merge onto I-94.
The wind is shifting slightly too. While it started from the west, it’s expected to move to the southwest at the same 13 mph clip.
📖 Related: Fine hair layered bob hairstyles: Why Your Stylist Might Be Doing It Wrong
Here is the breakdown of what to actually expect:
- Visibility: It’s been hovering between 1 and 2 miles this morning due to the fog and light snow. Expect it to stay hazy.
- Accumulation: We’re looking at maybe an inch, possibly a bit more if a heavier band sits over the city for a while.
- Tonight: The snow chance stays around 35%, and with that 16°F low, the wind chill is going to start venturing into the single digits.
Why the "Feels Like" Matters More Than the Number
In Milwaukee, the raw temperature is often a lie. Because our humidity is currently sitting near 83% for the daily average, the cold feels "heavy." It’s that deep-in-your-bones chill.
UV index? Forget about it. It’s a flat 0. You won't be seeing the sun today, as cloud cover is staying thick across the Brew City.
If you have plans tonight, maybe reconsider that long walk from the parking structure. By the time the sun goes down (which happens early—sunset is at 4:44 PM), the temperature will be plummeting.
Pro-tip for the evening: Check your tire pressure. These rapid 20-degree drops in Milwaukee weather often trigger those annoying dashboard sensors. Also, if you haven't tossed the ice scraper back in the car yet, today is the day. You'll need it to chip off the frozen spray from the roads tonight.
Stay warm, drive slower than you think you need to, and maybe grab an extra coffee. We’re going to need it to get through this gray Friday.
Next Steps for Milwaukeeans:
- Clear your gutters this afternoon if you can; the expected low of 16°F will freeze any standing slush, potentially leading to ice dams.
- Layer up with a moisture-wicking base—the 79% humidity means if you sweat while shoveling that light dusting, you'll freeze the second you stop moving.
- Keep an eye on the wind direction; southwest winds often mean the lake effect stays just south of the city, but any wobble could bring heavier bands into the Oak Creek area.