Marine Weather and Tide Forecast for Rib Lake, WI

DISCUSSION
Issued at 339 PM CST Sat Jan 17 2026

No major weather systems in the forecast, but there are still a number of weather concerns/impacts over the next few days to address.

Snow...Have been seeing on and off scattered, light snow across much of the area throughout the day, but additional accumulations have been minor. A final push of these snow showers is expected across far northeast and east-central WI this evening as a boundary combined with steep low level lapse rates leads to a period of brief, but heavy snow showers. Most of the CAMs are depicting this development, and can start to see it taking shape on radar as of 21Z. Accumulations will be around or less than an inch because of the short duration at any one location, but visibility drops to 1 mile or less are possible within the heaviest snow showers. These would be expected through about 01-02Z (7-8PM CST) and then come to an end. Some lingering light snow in north- central WI overnight, other quite weather is expected through mid- morning Sunday.

Another clipper system comes through the area Sunday into Monday, bringing a period of light snow, and eventually strong winds behind it. Snow spreads in from west to east late Sunday morning into the early afternoon, then continues through late Sunday evening, eventually tapering off by Monday morning. Forecast amounts will range from 1-2" for most, which will accumulated slowly. Amounts of 2-5" are forecast across far north-central WI, especially Vilas County. Probabilities for at least 1" of snow range from 60-95%, but quickly drop off to a 10-50% chance of 2"+ aside from north-central WI. With winds gusting to 30+ mph Monday morning, blowing snow may lead to a period of reduced visibility Monday morning even though the snow ends, particularly for open areas in central into east- central WI. However, confidence in blowing snow impacts is lower. Winds will also create gales for marine zones, and a Gale Watch remains in effect.

Another similar clipper system could impact the area during the midweek, roughly late Tue-Wed time frame.

Cold/Wind Chills...Colder air starts to filter in Sunday, with a stronger push of cold on Monday. The cold combined with the strong winds will make for wind chills of 20 to 30 below for most. A Cold Weather Advisory has been issued for the western CWA from 09-18Z/Mon. An eastward expansion may be needed, but confidence of reaching criteria is lower here. Additional cold weather headlines are likely Tuesday morning. There is a very small improvement to temperatures midweek, but probably just enough to stay away from headlines, then another cold push of air comes in for next weekend.

AVIATION
for 00Z TAF Issuance Issued at 511 PM CST Sat Jan 17 2026

Mainly MVFR CIGs , with some spotty VFR CIGs were observed late this afternoon across the region. MVFR CIGs are expected for much of the upcoming TAF period.

An area of light snow showers will track through eastern Wisconsin early this evening, mainly affecting the east-central Wisconsin airports. This activity is expected to drop VSBYs to MVFR, with brief reductions to LIFR. Accumulations will be around 1" or less due to the short duration of this activity.

Quiet weather is then expected for the rest of the overnight hours, with the next round of light snow moving in from the west late Sunday morning and lasting through Sunday afternoon. This activity is expected to drop conditions to IFR/LIFR at times.

GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
Cold Weather Advisory from 3 AM to noon CST Monday for WIZ005- 010-011-018>020-030-031-035>037-045.