Honestly, if you stepped outside in Oconomowoc earlier this month, you might’ve been fooled. That weirdly warm January system that dumped record rain across Wisconsin on the 8th—over two inches in some spots—felt more like a soggy April morning than the middle of winter. But look out the window today, Saturday, January 17, 2026. The party is officially over.
The "Polar Vortex" everyone keeps whispering about? It’s basically here.
What’s happening right now?
Right now, the weather forecast for Oconomowoc shows a current temperature of 18°F, but don’t let that number lie to you. With a 13 mph wind pulling straight from the west, the feels-like temperature is a biting 5°F. We’re currently seeing light snow and a high humidity of 90%, making the air feel heavy and sharp.
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It's cold. Really cold.
If you’re heading out to Fowler Lake or just grabbing coffee downtown, you’ve gotta dress for the "feels-like," not the thermometer.
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Today’s specific breakdown
The high for today isn't going to climb much past 19°F. We're looking at snow showers throughout the daytime with a 35% chance of precipitation. Once the sun goes down (which happens early these days, around 4:44 PM), the sky turns partly cloudy and the temperature drops to a low of 5°F.
- Wind: Steady from the west at 12 mph.
- Visibility: Expect some haze during those snow showers.
- Humidity: Sitting around 87% for the day.
The bigger picture: Why it matters
Historically, Oconomowoc usually averages a high of 28°F in January. We are way below that today. After the record-breaking warmth and rain we saw last week—where places like La Farge saw over two inches of rain—this shift back to sub-20 temperatures is a massive shock to the system.
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The ground isn't frozen solid yet because of those warm rains, but that's changing fast.
Basically, the "January Thaw" we just lived through was an anomaly. According to long-range data from the National Weather Service and local trackers, the rest of the month is shaping up to be a battle between brief sunny spells and these frigid Arctic surges.
Actionable steps for the weekend
- Check your tires: This kind of rapid temp drop after rain often leads to "black ice" on roads like Highway 16.
- Protect the pipes: If you have an older home near the lake, make sure those exterior faucets are covered; we're hitting that 5°F mark tonight.
- Pet safety: If it’s too cold for your hand (5°F feels-like), it’s too cold for their paws. Keep the walks short today.
Stay warm out there. Winter has finally decided to show up for real.