Bitter cold and blowing snow are in the forecast for the Appleton area over the next few days.
The National Weather Service issued a cold weather advisory through 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 for most of northeast Wisconsin, with wind gusts up to 30 mph and wind chills ranging from minus 15 to minus 30 degrees. The advisory warns of frostbite and hypothermia on exposed skin in as little as 10 to 30 minutes outside.
The high temperature for Appleton is expected to be 2, with a low of minus 3.
The wind will blow snow across the area, reducing road visibility to as much as one mile or less. The worst conditions are expected along the Interstate 41 corridor, including the Lake Butte des Morts bridge, Interstate 43 and across Door County. Brief whiteout conditions are possible on the bay of Green Bay and Lake Winnebago.
The National Weather Service advises people to cover exposed skin, limit their time outdoors and bring pets indoors.
The cold will continue into Tuesday, Jan. 20, with snow likely Tuesday night into Wednesday. About an inch is expected.
What’s behind Wisconsin’s cold snap?
Kira Jesse, a National Weather Service Green Bay meteorologist, said it was a “pretty typical winter set-up,” with a strong push of cold air coming from the north overnight coupled with a nearby low-pressure system.
The cold weather will persist through next weekend.
Is this winter colder than past years?
If this winter seems colder than previous ones, you’re not imagining it.
The National Weather Service pulled the average temperature for December going back five years to get a sense to each winter’s start. The data showed 2021’s average was 28 degrees, 2022 was 24, 2023 was 35 and 2024 was 27. The 2025 average? 19 degrees.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Appleton weather forecast has bitter wind chills, cold temps
Reporting by Kelly Meyerhofer, Appleton Post-Crescent / Appleton Post-Crescent
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
