If you’ve lived in Titletown for more than a week, you know the drill. One day you’re scraping a quarter-inch of frozen sleet off your windshield, and the next, the sun is mocking you while the wind chill tries to bite through your heaviest Carhartt. Honestly, looking at the green bay extended weather forecast right now is a bit of a trip. We are currently sitting in that weird mid-January pocket of 2026 where the atmosphere can't decide if it wants to be a winter wonderland or a slushy mess.
Today, Tuesday, January 13, started off surprisingly mild with highs hitting 45°F. Sounds great, right? Wrong. That warmth is basically just fuel for the mess coming our way. A cold front is screaming through tonight, and by tomorrow, we’re looking at a high of only 19°F. That is a massive swing. If you haven’t checked your tire pressure or replenished the salt bucket in the garage, now is probably the time.
Navigating the Green Bay Extended Weather Forecast This Month
The next ten days look like a classic Wisconsin roller coaster. We’re moving away from the "warm" rain-snow mix of today into a much more consistent, albeit freezing, pattern. According to the latest data from the National Weather Service in Green Bay, a deep upper-level trough is moving in late Thursday. This isn't just a quick dusting. It’s the kind of setup that "sets up camp" over the Great Lakes, meaning we’re in for a stretch of gray skies and frequent flakes.
Between Friday, January 16, and Sunday, January 18, expect temperatures to plummet. We are talking highs in the single digits by Sunday. Specifically, Sunday’s forecast is showing a high of only 6°F. When you factor in the northwest winds that usually whip off the bay this time of year, that "feels like" temperature is going to be brutal.
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Why the Forecast Keeps Shifting
A lot of people get frustrated when the "10-day" looks totally different on Tuesday than it did on Sunday. There’s a reason for that. We are currently influenced by a weak La Niña pattern. Meteorologists like the team at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center have been tracking this for months. In a La Niña year, the jet stream usually pushes further north, which often leads to colder-than-average temperatures for us here in the western Great Lakes.
But "colder-than-average" doesn't mean "consistently cold." It means we get these sharp, volatile clashes between Canadian arctic air and occasional bursts of moisture from the south. That’s why we’re seeing a high of 45°F today followed by sub-zero lows by Monday morning. It’s basically a weather war zone over Lambeau Field.
What the Rest of January and February Look Like
If you’re planning a trip to the Northwoods or just trying to figure out when to schedule the plow service, the long-range outlook is leaning toward a "classic" winter. The Old Farmer’s Almanac and several climate models are suggesting that late January into early February will be the coldest stretch of the season.
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- Temperature Trends: Expect more days with highs below 20°F than above.
- Snow Potential: While we’ve had some dry spells, the "Wetter-than-Normal" signal is active for the Upper Mississippi Valley. This translates to frequent, smaller snow events rather than one massive 20-inch blizzard—though in Green Bay, you can never rule out a surprise "clipper" system.
- The Ice Factor: With these constant thaws and freezes, black ice is going to be a major headache on I-41 and Highway 29.
The lake-effect machine is also starting to crank up. While the wind trajectories for Vilas County aren't perfectly aligned right now, any shift to a more north-northwesterly flow will dump significant snow on the "snow belt" areas just north of the city.
Common Misconceptions About Green Bay Winters
Most folks from out of state think we’re just a frozen tundra 24/7. But locals know the "January Thaw" is a real, albeit annoying, phenomenon. This year, our thaw happened early this week. The danger isn't just the cold; it's the humidity. January is actually one of our most humid months, often hitting 95% relative humidity. That "wet cold" clings to your skin and makes 15°F feel like -5°F.
Another thing people miss? The sun. January is statistically the cloudiest month of the year here. We only get about 40% of the possible sunshine. So, if the sun does come out on one of those 10-degree days, take the win. Grab some Vitamin D while you can.
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Practical Steps for the Next Two Weeks
Since the green bay extended weather forecast shows a significant deep freeze starting January 18, you need to prep now. Honestly, once the temp hits 6°F with 20 mph winds, nobody wants to be outside fixing a frozen pipe or digging for the ice scraper.
First, check your battery. Cold weather is a battery killer, and if yours is more than three years old, a 0°F Monday morning might be its last stand. Second, look at your "winter kit" in the car. Most of us take out the blankets and shovels in the spring and forget to put them back. If you get stuck on a backroad in Oconto or Shawano County when the sun goes down, you’ll want those extra layers.
Lastly, keep an eye on the wind. We’re expecting gale-force gusts on Lake Michigan and the Bay over the next 48 hours. If you have loose patio furniture or holiday decorations still hanging on for dear life, get them inside.
Bottom line: The mild start to the week was a fluke. The real Wisconsin winter is about to land, and it's bringing a lot of single-digit baggage with it. Stay warm, drive slow, and maybe keep the heavy coat by the door.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Monitor the "Front": Watch for the temp drop late Tuesday night; the transition from rain to ice will be fast.
- Seal the Gaps: Use weather stripping on drafty doors before Sunday’s single-digit highs arrive.
- Check Local Alerts: Follow the NWS Green Bay "Area Forecast Discussion" for updates on the Friday snow trough.