Weather Forecast: Severe Weather Risks From Cold Front Expected in Southern Wisconsin, Tornadoes Possible

Southern Wisconsin will be at risk of severe weather and tornadoes on Friday due to a cold front that will move in on Thursday evening.

Wintry weather will affect areas to the north. The southern half of the state is subject to a marginal to enhanced severe risk, which may be in levels 1 to 3 of 5 for Friday.

Tornadoes and damaging wind gusts will be the main hazards for southern Wisconsin.

Progressing Severe Weather

On Thursday evening, snow will move into northern Wisconsin as rain moves into the southern half of the state. However, the activity will pick up in the south by early Friday morning.

No indications of a serious risk exist for early Friday morning, however, there will likely be some heavy rain and some thunder.

Conditions will start to improve by the time people wake up on Friday and there will be a transition for the later part of the morning.

In the late afternoon, a serious threat develops for the state's southeast. Through the evening, another round of powerful storms will move from west to east. This is when the potentially dangerous wind gusts and a few tornadoes will arrive.

Weather experts say the best strategies as the work week comes to an end are to stay weather-aware all day long and to prepare in advance before the storms arrive, Spectrum News 1 reports.

Hazardous Weather Outlook: Milwaukee

A Hazardous Weather Outlook began on Wednesday, March 29 at 3:49 AM for parts of east-central, south-central, and southeast Wisconsin, according to the National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan.

Day One will begin today as a band of snow reduces visibility for a short period of time and causes a few slick spots in the area early this morning.

Thursday through the following week's Tuesday will be Days Two through Seven.

Thunderstorms are possible from Thursday night through Friday night. There is a chance of several strong to severe thunderstorms on Friday afternoon as well as evening.

Madison Today, Thursday, Friday

Meanwhile, in Madison, today will have sunny skies with temperatures nearly steady in the mid 30s. Highs will reach 35 degrees, and winds will blow NNW at 10 mph to 15 mph. By tonight, temperatures will drop to 19 degrees as the skies become partly cloudy and the winds mellow down to light and variable speeds.

Tomorrow, Thursday, Madison will wake up to partly cloudy skies in the morning. Later in the day, there will be more cloud cover and brief periods of rain, and the temperature will reach 46 degrees. There will be a 50% chance of precipitation in the afternoon. On Thursday night, numerous thunderstorms that started the previous night are expected to develop. Lows will be 43 degrees, with winds out of the south blowing between 10 and 20 mph.

Chances of rain are up at 73% by Friday at 3 AM. The morning's scattered thunderstorms will progress to be more widespread as the afternoon approaches. Thunderstorms will last through the evening, with sporadic overnight snow or rain showers, The Weather Channel reports.