Warm/mild with more clouds on Friday

WH AT WE A RE T RA C K IN G: After a warm Friday, a couple of systems bring more middle to end of October-like temperatures, some showers, and breezy conditions for the weekend.

NEXT 24 HOURS: High cloud cover, along with a southerly breezy, will result in very mild Friday morning temperatures (50s).  High cloud cover continues on Friday as a cold front slowly slide southeast through the region.  High temperatures will range from the low 80s south of La Crosse to around 70 north of Eau Claire.  Although winds start off from the south, they will turn to the northwest by the afternoon. Cloud cover decreases somewhat during the evening.

LOOKING AHEA D: Another system quickly dives south early Saturday, spreading more clouds throughout the region.  A few showers remain possible north of Eau Claire. This system will merge with the one in northern IL, resulting in a low pressure center over southern Michigan. This results in gusty northern winds and much cooler temperatures (50s) on Sunday.  Moisture wrapping around this low may result in showers, with the best chances northeast of Eau Claire. These below-average temperatures continue Monday and Tuesday before milder conditions return for the second half of the work week and the following weekend (middle 60s to middle 70s).  A system may rain chances back to the area by the weekend. Frost or hard freezes are likely early next week as low temperatures will be in the 20s for many locations.

NORTHERN LIGHTS: Severe to storm geomagnetic storming continues through Friday morning, although high cloud increases during this time.

DROUGHT UPDATE: Abnormally dry conditions continue to expand across the area with NE Iowa and NE Wisconsin in moderate or even severe drought as 30-day rainfall totals are running from 25 to 50% of average.  Soil moisture is running short or very short in most of the region.  Extended outlook does not favor wet conditions through the remaining half of October.

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