Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Athens, WI

DISCUSSION
Issued at 326 PM CST Tue Jan 13 2026

Fairly quiet weather was observed across the region this afternoon, with the forecast area situated between a departing short-wave and another approaching from NE MN. Strong southwest winds brought very warm air into the region, with highs touching 50 degrees at Waupaca and Oshkosh. Temperatures were stuck in the middle to upper 30s over the northwest half of the forecast area, where widespread low clouds were still in place. Looking upstream, a strong cold front was moving through northern MN and approaching Duluth. Light mixed precipitation was observed with the front in the Arrowhead.

The strong cold front will reach northwest part of the forecast area early this evening and depart the southeast portion during the early overnight hours. The front will bring northwest winds gusting to 30 to 35 mph and a couple hour period of light snow and drizzle/freezing drizzle at any given location. The addition of a chance of drizzle/freezing drizzle was based on model depiction of a brief period of shallow saturation with temps above -10 C (supercooled water droplets instead of ice crystals) and earlier observations of freezing drizzle in southern Canada. Confidence in freezing drizzle is on the low side, as it is unknown if this setup will occur before or after surface temps drop below freezing. As such, locally slippery road conditions are possible but not likely. Accumulating lake-effect snow is expected over north central WI tonight into Wednesday. Wind trajectories are looking better than they did yesterday, with a favorable NNW direction, and synoptic enhancement from a potent short-wave will occur for several hours tonight. However, decided not to significantly increase snowfall totals due to a strong inversion setting up around 3500-4000 ft (low equilibrium levels) and a lack of a deep dendritic growth zone. Will hold accumulations in the 1 to 3 inch range.

A deep upper level trough and clipper low pressure system move into the area late Thursday afternoon/evening, leading to widespread light snowfall and some accumulations into Friday. The upper trough lingers into the weekend, with numerous lake-effect snow showers over north central WI and scattered snow showers elsewhere.

Temperatures turn significantly colder starting tonight, then moderate a bit into the end of the work week. A couple surges of chilly arctic air arrive over the weekend and early next week.
This will result in sub-zero min temps and wind chills as cold as 10 below to 25 below zero during the late weekend and early part of the next work week.

AVIATION
for 18Z TAF Issuance Issued at 1142 AM CST Tue Jan 13 2026

Most of the precipitation has moved out of the forecast area at issuance time and clearing has pushed into east central WI. Some IFR ceilings lingered over NC WI, and MVFR ceilings were moving into central WI. A cold front was moving into northern MN, accompanied by light mixed precipitation. This front will reach northern WI early this evening, then move out of the forecast area during the overnight hours. A brief mix of snow and freezing drizzle could accompany the front. Lake-effect should increase in north central WI after the frontal passage, as cold north- northwest winds flow across western Lake Superior. Some of these snow showers will likely reach the RHI TAF site through much of the night. MVFR conditions should improve to VFR in the southeast half of the forecast area later tonight into early Wednesday, but snow showers will continue north of RHI.

Gusty west winds are expected this afternoon and early evening.
Winds veer north-northwest and gust to 25 to 30 kts this evening and overnight in the wake of the strong cold front. The strong winds will persist through Wednesday. Pockets of LLWS will continue across the region through much of the TAF period.

MARINE
Issued at 326 PM CST Tue Jan 13 2026

Gusty west winds bring small craft conditions through this evening. A strong cold front moves through later tonight, followed by northwest gales to 35 to 40 kts, which will last into Wednesday evening. Even with an offshore wind direction, high waves and freezing spray will occur, especially toward open water on Lake Michigan.

GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
None.