- Highs remain 10-20+ degrees above average through Wednesday
- Widespread rain expected Tuesday night into Wednesday
- Additional precipitation Thursday into Friday, colder by the weekend
MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – Happy Sunday! We continue on with our gorgeous weekend today. Waking up this morning, we are seeing some cloud cover over southern Wisconsin in association with a weak trough. These will continue to push eastward through sunrise, giving way to mostly sunny skies once again today. Temperatures will remain well above normal with highs climbing into the low to mid-50s by the afternoon hours. Temperatures over-performed just slightly yesterday as we ended up seeing a high of 55 degrees here in Madison with a forecast high of 53. This tied the record of 55 degrees set back in 1934. Just the day before on Friday, we recorded a high of 51 which beat the previous record of 50 degrees. Our stretch of 50s will continue through mid-week.
What’s Coming Up…
To start the new work week, we remain dry. Monday looks to be the warmest day as southerly low level flow develops behind a departing high and ahead of an approaching trough. This trough will drag a cold front through, but it looks like it won’t be until the evening hours, allowing for temperatures to warm through the day out ahead of it. Some spots further to the south may crack 60 degrees. Also, moisture looks limited with this frontal passage so the forecast remains dry (as previously mentioned).
These dry conditions will only last so long, though. The weather pattern turns more active starting Tuesday. For this week, we are keeping an eye on two low-pressure systems. The first of those will pass through late Tuesday afternoon/Tuesday evening, with mild temperatures supporting a rain only event for southern Wisconsin (far northern portions of the state could potentially see a transition to a rain/snow mix). We may even hear a few rumbles of thunder as this system moves through. We dry things out through Wednesday, remaining dry until the next weathermaker moves through.
Looking Ahead…
Another area of low pressure will pass through Thursday night and into Friday. With dropping temperatures, this system favors rain switching to snow. There are still some uncertainties in regard to the exact timing and track of this system, though. Whether or not the low tracks further to the south or further to the north will dictate the snowfall potential for southern Wisconsin. Stay with the First Alert weather team for the latest updates as we get closer…