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Freeze watch puts southeast Wisconsin gardens and pipes at risk this weekend
Rain and gusty winds are forecast across southeast Wisconsin Thursday and Friday, followed by a sharp overnight drop that could bring temperatures as low as 27 degrees. The National Weather Service’s freeze watch runs from late Friday night into Saturday morning.
Southeast Wisconsin is forecast to get a wet, windy end to the workweek before a freeze watch brings the threat of damaging cold late Friday night into Saturday morning, Oct. 17.
Rain was expected to arrive late Thursday morning and continue through much of the afternoon, with highs near 61 degrees. Showers could ease briefly overnight as temperatures fall to about 47, and patchy fog is possible.
Friday is expected to bring another round of showers, though they should be less widespread. Winds could reach about 20 mph, with a high near 55 degrees.
The National Weather Service has issued a freeze watch for late Friday night through Saturday morning. Temperatures could dip to 27 degrees, potentially harming crops and sensitive plants and freezing exposed outdoor plumbing.
The watch covers Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Jefferson, Marquette, Sauk, Sheboygan, Washington and Waukesha counties. Saturday morning temperatures are expected to fall into the 30s, with frost possible in some areas.
Residents with gardens or outdoor water lines may want to take precautions before the cold arrives. People heading out early Saturday should also prepare for chilly conditions.