FXUS63 KARX 210403

AFDARX



Area Forecast Discussion

National Weather Service La Crosse WI

1103 PM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026



.KEY MESSAGES...



- Potentially record warmth for Saturday with daytime highs in

  the 60s to upper 70s for some. See Climate section below for 

  local climate sites records and current forecast. 



- Low-medium precipitation chances (20-40%) Saturday night

  through Sunday. Transient wintry mix possible in select spots of central

  Wisconsin.



- More seasonable temperatures through the new week.



&&



.DISCUSSION...

Issued at 1057 PM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026



Warm Saturday:



Potentially record warmth still on tap for Saturday as a large 

anticyclone over the Desert Southwest increases heights across 

the Central CONUS. Until now, little advection to area of low 

level warmth over the last 24 hours limited overall local 

impacts. Progression of the pattern tonight through Saturday 

advects the low level warmth closer/over most of the forecast 

area. Resultant confidence for daytime highs in the 60s in 

central Wisconsin and 70s most elsewhere outside of low 80s 

possible (20-40%) in select, warm susceptible forecast points.



Light Precipitation Chances Saturday Night Into Sunday:



While highest precipitation chances mostly graze the forecast area 

Saturday night through Sunday morning, a slight southwest trend in 

confidence ushers low-medium (20-30%) probabilities for much of

the forecast area to experience some light, liquid 

preciptiation. Other than transient snow mixing in for central

Wisconsin, a short window for Freezing Rain is possible (<20%) 

in central Wisconsin.



Seasonable Through New Week:



More normal temperatures to round out the weekend stick around 

through much of the week. Precipitation chances return through 

midweek although overall confidence in exact timing and location 

remains to be seen. 



&&



.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SUNDAY/...

Issued at 635 PM CDT Fri Mar 20 2026



VFR conditions expected to continue at terminal (KLSE/KRST) for

the next 24 hours. Winds will gradually veer overnight to the 

south/southwest, and increasing through Saturday morning gusting

20-25kt from the west through Saturday afternoon. Smaller sites

in central Wisconsin may see overnight IFR-LIFR ceilings and 

fog potential. 



Precipitation chances bring potential widespread aviation

impacts Saturday night through Sunday morning.



&&



.CLIMATE...

Issued at 1111 PM CDT Fri Mar 10 2026



Potential Record Warmth on Saturday, March 21st, 2026:



                   Forecast / Record High 



Rochester, MN:           75 / 70 (1918) 

La Crosse, WI:           76 / 75 (2022)



&&



.ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...

WI...None.

MN...None.

IA...None.



&&



$$



DISCUSSION...JAR

AVIATION...JAR

CLIMATE...JAR