NWS-Milwaukee/Sullivan Forecast Discussion
FXUS63 KMKX 271840
AFDMKX
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
140 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Widespread showers (80 to 100 percent chances) and embedded
storms through mid afternoon. Severe weather is not expected.
- Winds behind this first area of rainfall will gust between 40
and 50 mph out of the east.
- Scattered thunderstorms will pose a risk of severe hail and
wind gusts along and west of I-39 from mid afternoon through
this evening.
- Cooler temps Tuesday through the end of next week. There is a
less than 20 percent chance of a freeze Thursday night and a
20-40 percent chance of a freeze Friday night.
&&
.SHORT TERM...
Issued 140 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026
Rest of the This Afternoon and Tonight:
Warm advection band of rain and embedded thunder continues to
move to the northeast. On the back edge of this rain, winds are
still gusting to between 40 and 50 mph. Latest observations are
closer to 40 mph. The back edge of this area of rain should exit
to the east/northeast between 2 and 230 PM.
Attention then focuses to the west where some clearing has
occurred over Iowa and a cumulus field has developed. A narrow
band of scattered storms is starting to develop across portions
of central to north central Iowa in an axis of increasing CAPE.
Other narrow low level convergence zones exist across eastern
Iowa, which should provide focus for additional development.
With some daytime heating to the west, surface based CAPE will
approach 1500 J/kg, mixed layer a bit lower at 1000 J/kg. This
nose of instability will enter southwestern WI during the
mid/late afternoon as the aforementioned boundaries and
convergent zones approach.
Scattered storms will pose a marginally severe hail threat and a
localized downburst wind threat. The tornado threat hinges on
maintaining some sort of backed, southeasterly flow. Guidance
indicates as the afternoon progresses, low level winds veer more
to the southwest, so the overall tornado risk has decreased, but
if a cell can latch on to the southeasterly winds, it has a
chance for a brief tornado. The area of main concern with this
would be Iowa/Lafayette/Green/southwestern Dane counties.
As the surface low moves steadily to the northeast into this
evening, the associated surface boundary will be progressive.
Scattered storms will move steadily to the east, exiting over
Lake Michigan after 10 PM.
Gagan
&&
.LONG TERM...
Issued 140 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026
Tuesday through Monday:
Cooler, drier conditions will build into the region Tuesday,
though low clouds will hang on for at least the morning.
Northwest flow aloft begins to take hold and will send a few
embedded shortwaves our way. Timing these waves will be the
trick, but blurring ones eyes there is a chance for showers
Wednesday evening into Thursday morning.
Surface high pressure builds in the region for the end of the
week and at least the first portion of the weekend. Will need to
keep a close eye on frost/freeze potential Thursday and Friday
nights. Right now, the better opportunity for a freeze looks to
be Friday night.
Northwest flow aloft will remain in control this weekend into
early next week. Another shortwave passage is progged for the
latter half of the weekend, with the next chance for rain slated
for late Sunday into Monday morning.
Overall, this is a cooler and drier pattern for the next week or
so. The GEFS CIPS analogs maintain a cooler than average pattern
and temperatures will be at or below average for the next week
or so. Rainfall chances will be there every 2-3 days, but should
be quick hitters in this fast flow.
Gagan
&&
.AVIATION...
Issued 140 PM CDT CDT Mon Apr 27 2026
The first round of rain and embedded thunder will exit to the
northeast by mid week. Behind this area of rain, easterly winds
will gust to between 35 and 40kt for a short period. Winds will
then reestablish out of the southeast during the mid to late
afternoon and then to the southwest as a cold front approaches
this evening. MVFR to in some cases IFR ceiling are building in
behind this rainfall, though visibility outside of heavy rain
downpours will remain VFR.
Scattered storms will move across southern WI through 04z, and
winds will shift more to the west as the front moves through.
MVFR ceilings will persist into Tuesday morning, gradually
lifting and breaking up toward midday Tuesday
Gagan
&&
.MARINE...
Issued 140 PM CDT Mon Apr 27 2026
Gusty winds on the backside of an area of rain have prompted a
gale warning for the southern half of Lake Michigan. Wind gusts
to just above gale level are expected until 7 PM. A small craft
advisory for the near short will go back into effect at 7 PM
through 1 PM Tuesday for gusty winds and waves between 5 and 8
feet.
High pressure will gradually build into the region beginning
Tuesday, this will result in gradually decreasing winds and
waves. Light winds and waves between 1 to 2 feet are expected
much of the rest of this week.
Gagan
&&
.MKX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...None.
LM...Small Craft Advisory...LMZ643-LMZ644-LMZ645-LMZ646 until 2 PM
Monday.
Gale Warning...LMZ080-LMZ643-LMZ644-LMZ645-LMZ646-LMZ669-
LMZ671-LMZ673-LMZ675-LMZ777-LMZ779-LMZ870-LMZ872-LMZ874-
LMZ876-LMZ878 until 7 PM Monday.
Small Craft Advisory...LMZ643-LMZ644-LMZ645-LMZ646...7 PM
Monday to 1 PM Tuesday.
&&
$$
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