Sunday, April 12, 2026, started off looking calm enough in Milwaukee, with clear skies and about 50°F at Mitchell International Airport (KMKE) at 5:35 a.m. CDT. The catch: southerly winds were already near 30 mph, and they are only expected to stay busy. Forecasters call for a warm, humid day with scattered showers and thunderstorms popping up on and off through the afternoon and evening, and a high near 72°F.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Showers and a few thunderstorms are possible at just about any time today. Coverage will ebb and flow through the afternoon, then ramp up again this evening. The stronger cells could bring brief heavy downpours, on the order of a quarter to a half-inch of rain, along with gusty winds that may reach 35 to 40 mph.
According to the National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan, a warm, moist air mass and a low-level southerly jet will keep intermittent storm chances and gusty winds in place. Isolated damaging gusts and localized heavy rain are possible, and rivers are expected to rise with some flood potential over the coming days.
Lake And Boating Impacts
Nearshore Lake Michigan is already choppy. Small Craft Advisories are in effect along nearshore waters into early Monday, and a Gale Watch covers parts of the lake from late Sunday into early Monday morning. Boat owners and shoreline visitors are urged to postpone nonessential trips, secure or pull smaller craft, and steer clear of piers and exposed shorelines when gusts are strongest.
Areas of dense fog may become an issue over the lake from Monday into the week as the mild, moist air mass flows over the colder lake water, cutting visibility and adding another layer of risk for anyone on the water.
Through The Week
Today is only the opening act in what is shaping up to be an active, muggy week. Intermittent rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected through midweek. Another wetter period is on tap for late Tuesday into Wednesday, which could produce higher rainfall totals and more runoff…