River Falls weather is a bit like a game of high-stakes poker where the dealer just keeps throwing wild cards. Honestly, if you've spent more than a week here in January, you know the drill. One minute you’re walking down Main Street thinking the "January Thaw" is finally here, and the next, a northwest wind is trying to peel the paint off your house.
Today is Friday, January 16, 2026, and the weather forecast in River Falls WI is exactly that kind of mixed bag.
Right now, we are looking at a high of 28°F and a low of 8°F. That sounds manageable on paper, but the northwest wind at 17 mph is the real story. It’s that sharp, biting wind that makes you regret every life choice that didn’t involve moving to Arizona.
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What the Clouds Are Hiding Today
Basically, don't expect much sun. We are locked into snow showers for both the day and night portions of this forecast. The chance of precipitation is sitting at 25%.
Is it going to be a blizzard? No. But it's that annoying, light, dusty snow that makes the roads around UWRF and the Kinni a total mess during rush hour.
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Breaking Down the Numbers
- High Temp: 28°F (reached likely earlier in the day)
- Low Temp: 8°F (overnight drop)
- Humidity: 87% (which explains why the cold feels so "damp" and heavy)
- Wind: 17 mph from the Northwest
- UV Index: 0 (Sun? What sun?)
If you're heading out to the Kinni River for some winter fly fishing—because yes, people actually do that—you’ll want every layer you own. The humidity is high, the wind is moving, and the "real feel" is going to be significantly lower than that 28-degree mark.
The Weird Reality of Wisconsin Winters in 2026
It’s interesting to see how our winters are shifting. Historically, River Falls averages a high of about 22°F in January. Seeing a 28°F day like today is actually a bit "warm" by historical standards, even if it doesn't feel like it when the wind hits your face.
We’ve seen a trend lately where these mid-winter days are getting slightly milder, but the tradeoff is more frequent "nuisance" snowfalls instead of the big, once-a-month dumps we used to get. Experts from the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI) have been pointing out for a while that our winters are becoming shorter and, frankly, weirder.
Last night was about 26°F, and we’re dropping to 8°F tonight. That’s an 18-degree swing in a few hours. That kind of fluctuation is brutal on our local infrastructure—potholes are basically a local mascot at this point because of the constant freeze-thaw cycle.
Looking at the Rest of the Week
The weather forecast in River Falls WI for the next 48 hours shows a sharp cooling trend. While today’s 28°F feels chilly, tomorrow is expected to struggle to get out of the low teens.
Saturday looks like it'll top out around 11°F with a low of 0°F. If you have plans to head up to Troy Burne or just take the kids to Hoffman Park, today is actually the "warm" day of the weekend.
Pro-Tips for Surviving Today
- Check the Kinnickinnic bridge: It always freezes before the road. Always.
- Wind protection: 17 mph doesn't sound like much until you're walking across an open parking lot. Cover your ears.
- Moisturize: That 87% humidity is a lie when the heater in your house is running 24/7.
Actually, the most important thing to remember is that 8°F low tonight. If you’ve got outdoor pets or fragile plants in a sunroom, get them sorted before sunset. The temperature is going to plummet once that 25% snow chance passes and the clouds (hopefully) break a bit.
The Actionable Bottom Line
The weather forecast in River Falls WI for Friday, January 16, is a classic Wisconsin winter day. It's gray, it's snowy, and it's windy.
- Dress in three layers: A base wicking layer, an insulating mid-layer, and a windproof shell.
- Drive slower on Division Street: Those hills get slick even with just a "snow shower."
- Check your tire pressure: Cold snaps like tonight’s drop to 8°F will trigger that annoying "low pressure" light on your dashboard.
Winter isn't going anywhere yet. Enjoy the 28 degrees while it lasts, because the single digits are coming for us tonight.