Freeze Warning Until Saturday Morning For Much Of Wisconsin

WISCONSIN — Sub-freezing temperatures may arrive in Wisconsin overnight into Saturday morning, threatening to kill plants and damage unprotected plumbing, according to national forecasters.

The National Weather Service put a freeze warning in effect from 1 a.m. Saturday until 8 a.m. Saturday. Temperatures could reach the upper 20s and lower 30s in parts of east-central, south-central and southeast Wisconsin overnight. Somewhat milder temperatures may be expected closer to Lake Michigan.

National forecasters recommend people take action now to ensure they are ready for the cold. You can prevent outdoor pipes from freezing and possibly bursting by wrapping and draining them. In-ground sprinkler systems should be drained and above-ground pipes should be covered.

Tender plants and crops should also be protected from the cold temperatures.

Frozen pipes are nothing to mess around with. Because water expands when it freezes, pipes can experience massive pressure and even explode. Not only is it a huge mess, its expensive to deal with.

Fortunately, there are ways to deal with a frozen pipe and even prevent them from happening. Here are some suggestions that Consumer Reports put out last year ahead of the cold.

Here's the rest of the NWS forecast for this weekend in the greater Milwaukee area:

Friday: Partly sunny with a high around 50. Widespread frost into the evening, mainly after 4 a.m.

Saturday: Widespread frost mainly before 8 a.m. Sunny with a high near 57 during the day. A low around 40 into the evening.

Sunday: Mostly sunny with a high around 65, partly cloudy in the evening with a low around 46.

Monday: Sunny with a high around 62.