Honestly, the "Waterpark Capital of the World" feels different when the temperature drops. If you're heading out this weekend, January 17-18, 2026, you've gotta be ready for a true Midwest chill. We're talking single digits.
It's cold. Really cold.
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But here’s the thing: most people just hunker down in the indoor waterparks and miss the actual magic happening outside. Yeah, the slides at the Kalahari or Wilderness Resort are a blast when it's 13°F outside, but there's a specific kind of quiet in the Dells during a snow shower that you just don't get in July.
The Weekend Breakdown: Wisconsin Dells Weather for the Weekend
Basically, Saturday is your "warm" day, and I use that term very loosely.
Saturday, January 17, 2026
The high is hitting 22°F. That’s manageable if you’ve got a good parka. We’re looking at snow showers throughout the day with about a 20% chance of precipitation. It’s not a blizzard, but it’s enough to keep the trails at Mirror Lake State Park looking like a postcard. The wind is coming from the west at 13 mph, so that "feels like" temp is going to bite. By the time night rolls around, it drops to a low of 5°F.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
Sunday gets even more serious. The high only reaches 15°F, and the low is a bracing 2°F. Snow showers are a bit more likely today—around 25%—so if you're driving back home, give yourself that extra ten minutes. The wind dies down a little to 8 mph from the southwest, but at these temps, you won't really notice the "calm."
Why the Cold Actually Matters for Your Plans
If you're in town for the Premier Kalahari Nationals or the MLK Classic at the Woodside Sports Complex, you’re mostly indoors anyway. But for the rest of us? The weather dictates the vibe.
Most people don't realize that Cascade Mountain and Christmas Mountain are in their prime right now. With highs in the teens and twenties, the snow stays crisp. It's not that slushy, heavy mess you get in March. It’s fast. If you’re tubing at Cascade, that 15-degree air hitting your face at 30 mph is... well, it’s one way to feel alive.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Winter in the Dells
You think it’s just waterparks. It’s not.
Kinda surprisingly, winter ziplining is a thing. Bigfoot Zipline Tours runs through the snowy oaks, and honestly, seeing the sandstone cliffs covered in ice from 60 feet up is way better than seeing them through summer humidity. Just wear long johns. Seriously.
Also, have you ever done a night walk in the freezing cold? Aquavia Lumina at the Wilderness is still running. It’s a mile-long multimedia trail. There’s something about the light reflecting off actual snow that makes the "multimedia" part feel secondary to the actual nature.
Survival Tips for the Single-Digit Lows
- Layer like an onion. Don't just wear one big coat. Wear a base layer, a fleece, and then the coat.
- Check the wind direction. On Saturday, that 13 mph west wind will make the 22°F feel like zero. If you're walking downtown near the Museum of Root Beer, stay on the leeward side of the buildings.
- Humidity is high. It's hovering around 70-80% this weekend. In the summer, that’s "gross." In the winter, that makes the cold feel "heavy." It seeps into your bones faster.
Where to Warm Up (The Non-Waterpark Version)
If you’re done with the snow showers, head to the Al. Ringling Theatre in nearby Baraboo for their "Winter Quarters" event. It’s circus history without the frostbite. Or, you could hit up B-LUX Grill & Bar for a burger.
Honestly, the Dells in January is for the people who actually like winter. It’s for the cheer teams at the Kalahari and the families who realized that Mt. Olympus is way less crowded when it’s 5°F outside.
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Don't let the forecast scare you off. Just pack the heavy socks.
Your Next Steps:
- Check your antifreeze levels if you're driving in from out of state; these temps are no joke for older batteries.
- Book your spa time at Sundara or Cleopatra’s now—indoor relaxation fills up fast when the "feels like" temp hits zero.
- Download the park maps for Mirror Lake if you plan on snowshoeing Saturday morning before the Sunday temperature drop.