Lovers of crisp air and pumpkin spice, rejoice: Monday morning marks the autumnal equinox and the official start of fall.
Wisconsin will usher in the new season with rain and thunderstorm chances to start the week, plus slightly higher-than-normal temperatures.
After scattered rain along Lake Michigan on Sunday afternoon, a more widespread system is expected to move through southern Wisconsin on Monday afternoon and evening.
Showers will be hit-or-miss, but there could be pockets of moderate to heavy rainfall, National Weather Service meteorologist Kevin Wagner said.
“(We) also can’t rule out some stronger storms that can produce some gusty winds, 40 to 50 miles per hour, and small hail — getting close to that severe level,” he said.
Tuesday will be drier with isolated showers possible along the Illinois border. Wednesday rain chances have shifted south of Wisconsin, but slight chances return Thursday and Friday.
“These systems are pretty slow-moving, so that’s why we have persisting, low-end rain chances through pretty much most of the week,” Wagner said. “They’re taking their time to get out of here.”
Rain chances can shift closer to the date, so keep an eye on the forecast, he noted.
More: When does fall start in Wisconsin, Milwaukee? We asked and you answered
Wisconsin temperatures still trending slightly higher than normal
The start of fall won’t bring significantly cooler temperatures — yet.
In Milwaukee, the high temperature could reach 77 degrees on Monday and 76 on Tuesday before dropping to the lower 70s in the second half of the week.
In contrast, the average high temperature for the last 10 days in September hover between 68 and 71 degrees, according to historical NWS data for Milwaukee.
The two-week weather outlook, stretching into early October, shows Wisconsin should trend on the drier and warmer side, Wagner said.
“Doesn’t mean we can’t have periods of rain with it,” he said.
So no need to pull out your warm flannel quite yet.
More: Wisconsin fall colors update: It’s beginning in the Northwoods
More: Can folklore forecast Wisconsin’s winter and fall? What weather myths vs. current data say
Contact Hope Karnopp at HKarnopp@gannett.com or on X at @hopekarnopp.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin ushers in first official week of fall with plenty of rain
