Key facts
- Alert
- Freeze Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service offices: Milwaukee/Sullivan WI, Green Bay WI, La Crosse WI
- Areas
- Marquette; Green Lake; Fond Du Lac; Sheboygan; Sauk; Columbia; Dodge; Washington; Iowa; Dane; Jefferson; Waukesha; Lafayette; Green; Rock; Walworth; Menominee; Marathon; Shawano; Wood; Portage; Waupaca; Outagamie; Brown; Kewaunee; Waushara; Winnebago; Calumet; Manitowoc; Southern Marinette County; Southern Oconto County; Mitchell; Howard; Winneshiek; Allamakee; Floyd; Chickasaw; Fayette; Clayton; Wabasha; Olmsted; Winona; Mower; Fillmore; Houston; Taylor; Clark; Buffalo; Trempealeau; Jackson; La Crosse; Monroe; Juneau; Adams; Vernon; Crawford; Richland; Grant
- In effect
- until 9:00 AM CDT, Oct 17, 2026
What the National Weather Service says
“Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.”
National Weather Service offices: Milwaukee/Sullivan WI, Green Bay WI, La Crosse WI, Freeze Warning, 2:10 AM CDT Oct 17, 2026 · official alert
“Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 28 degrees expected.”
National Weather Service offices: Milwaukee/Sullivan WI, Green Bay WI, La Crosse WI, Freeze Warning, 2:10 AM CDT Oct 17, 2026 · official alert
“Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.”
National Weather Service offices: Milwaukee/Sullivan WI, Green Bay WI, La Crosse WI, Freeze Warning, 2:10 AM CDT Oct 17, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. Cover them or bring them indoors before the warning starts at 1 AM CDT Saturday.
Protect outdoor plumbing, since the National Weather Service says freezing conditions could damage unprotected pipes. Disconnect and drain hoses and cover exposed spigots.
Bring pets inside, and check on older neighbors who may need help staying warm.
Avoid travel in the cold if you can. If you must drive, carry a winter kit.
Context
The FEMA flood-insurance claim counts for three Wisconsin counties in the alert area reflect only insured homes and businesses with flood policies. They say nothing about freezes. Counts range from 33 to 523 claims, with the most recent in 2025.
FEMA records show two past disaster declarations covering these counties: one in October 2018 for severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, flooding and landslides, and one in June 2008 for severe storms, tornadoes and flooding. Neither involved freezing weather.
Updates
- The freeze warning expired at 9:00 AM CDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the freeze warning; it remains in effect until 9:00 AM CDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the freeze warning; it remains in effect until 9:00 AM CDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the freeze warning; it remains in effect until 9:00 AM CDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the freeze warning; it remains in effect until 9:00 AM CDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the freeze warning; it remains in effect until 9:00 AM CDT.
- The National Weather Service updated the freeze warning; it remains in effect until 9:00 AM CDT.
- National Weather Service offices: Milwaukee/Sullivan WI, Green Bay WI, La Crosse WI issued the freeze warning until 9:00 AM CDT.
History here
This county: 33 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1993, most recent 2020.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4402 (2018): severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, flooding, and landslides
- DR-1768 (2008): severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding
This county: 53 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1979, most recent 2019.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4402 (2018): severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, flooding, and landslides
- DR-1768 (2008): severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding
This county: 523 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2025.
This county: recent federal disaster declarations
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Questions
- Is there a freeze warning in Wisconsin right now?
- Yes. The National Weather Service issued a Freeze Warning at 3:19 PM CDT on Friday, October 16, 2026, for parts of east central, south central and southeast Wisconsin. It remains in effect from 1 AM to 9 AM CDT Saturday.
- How cold will it get during the freeze warning?
- The National Weather Service expects sub-freezing temperatures as low as 28 degrees.
- What could the freeze damage?
- The National Weather Service says frost and freeze conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation. They could also possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Sources
- National Weather Service offices: Milwaukee/Sullivan WI, Green Bay WI, La Crosse WI: Freeze Warning, Oct 17, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
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