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Wisconsin Basked in Unseasonable Warmth—Then Winter Struck Back

A Springlike Weekend Shatters Records

Last weekend, Wisconsin residents traded winter coats for light jackets as temperatures soared to spring-like highs, defying seasonal norms. In Eau Claire, the mercury surged to 75°F—the first time it had crossed 70 degrees since last autumn. This unseasonable warmth arrived after an unusually prolonged stretch of cooler weather, which had stubbornly clung to the region far longer than expected.

But the real shock came in La Crosse, where the thermometer obliterated a century-old record by rocketing to 83°F. The jump wasn’t just a slight rise—it was a dramatic leap over a benchmark set decades ago. The last time temperatures had climbed this high was earlier in the fall, making this weekend feel like a premature summer teaser. Both cities experienced their earliest highs in years, underscoring the erratic behavior of spring weather.

A Sudden Arctic Return

After the brief taste of summer, reality hit fast. A cold front swept in overnight, plummeting temperatures back into the 30s and 40s. Today’s highs won’t even crack the low 40s, a stark reversal from just 24 hours prior. Meteorologists predict this chilly pattern will persist for days, with only a gradual recovery into the 50s expected by midweek.

It’s a stark reminder of nature’s unpredictability—how a fleeting taste of warmth can vanish as quickly as it arrived, leaving behind a lingering chill.