Lodi is weird.
If you’ve lived here long enough, you know that the weather forecast for Lodi Wisconsin is basically a polite suggestion rather than a rule. One minute you’re looking at a clear sky over the Top of the Lodi Marsh, and the next, a wall of gray is rolling in from Lake Wisconsin like it’s got a personal grudge.
Today is Tuesday, January 13, 2026, and honestly, the thermometer is lying to us. We are currently sitting at a bizarrely warm 50°F. It feels like a gift, but in southern Wisconsin, a 50-degree day in January is usually just the atmosphere’s way of winding up for a punch.
The Immediate Forecast: A Brutal Reality Check
If you were planning on a light jacket for the rest of the week, I’ve got some bad news.
👉 See also: EU Plug to US Adapter: What Most People Get Wrong Before They Travel
The "January Thaw" we’re seeing right now is ending tonight. While today’s high hit 51°F, the bottom is about to drop out. We’re looking at a low of 22°F tonight with snow showers moving in. That’s a 30-degree drop in a matter of hours.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, January 14, the high won't even touch what tonight's low was. Expect a high of 23°F and a low of 11°F. It’s going to be breezy—north winds at 20 mph—which means that "feels like" temperature is going to be in the single digits.
Here is what the next few days look like:
- Thursday (Jan 15): Light snow. High of 31°F, Low of 11°F.
- Friday (Jan 16): More snow showers. High of 37°F, Low of 13°F.
- The Weekend (Jan 17-18): This is where it gets real. We’re looking at highs of 16°F and 14°F. Lows will be hovering around 4°F.
Basically, the mild start to the week was a fluke. We are heading back into deep-freeze territory.
Why Lodi Weather is So Unpredictable
You can’t talk about the weather forecast for Lodi Wisconsin without mentioning Lake Wisconsin and the Wisconsin River. We’re tucked into a valley, and that topography does strange things to the local microclimate.
Local farmers around Okee will tell you that the "lake effect" isn't just a Great Lakes thing. While we don't get the massive drifts they see in Milwaukee or Kenosha, the moisture from the lake often turns what should be a "dusting" of snow into a messy, heavy slush that's a nightmare to shovel.
Historically, January is our coldest month. The average high is usually 27°F, so this current 50-degree spike is a massive outlier. In fact, the Wisconsin State Climatology Office notes that over 50% of the state's coldest days happen right now, in the first three weeks of January.
Remember 1912? Probably not, unless you’re a local history buff. That year, the average high for the month was five below zero. We aren't there yet, but the 10-day outlook suggests we’re done with the "balmy" 40s for a while.
The Snow Situation
We’re averaging about 10 to 11 inches of snow for the month of January. This year, the Climate Prediction Center is leaning toward a 40-50% chance of below-average temperatures, but the precipitation is a toss-up.
The snow we’re expecting this Friday (January 16) looks to be about 1-2 inches. It’s that dry, powdery stuff that happens when the air is too cold to hold real moisture. Great for the scenery, terrible for your windshield.
💡 You might also like: Why the Iceland and Greenland meme is actually kind of a lie
Driving Through the "Lodi Valley"
If you’re commuting on Highway 113 or 60, pay attention. The "Lodi Valley" effect means we get fog and black ice way more often than the higher ground in Dane County. When the temp swings from 50°F to 20°F in 24 hours—like it’s doing right now—the roads sweat. That moisture freezes instantly.
Don't trust the blacktop just because it looks wet. It's likely ice.
Actionable Next Steps for Lodi Residents
Given the volatility of the weather forecast for Lodi Wisconsin over the next 48 hours, there are a few things you actually need to do instead of just complaining about it at the coffee shop:
- Drain your hoses now. If you left them hooked up during this 50-degree spike, they will freeze and crack by Wednesday morning when we hit 11°F.
- Check your tire pressure. A 30-degree temperature drop will trigger your "low air" light. Do it today while it's warm so you aren't fumbling with an air hose in a 20 mph north wind tomorrow.
- Prepare for the "Weekend Freeze." Saturday and Sunday won't see double digits for the "feels like" temp. If you have outdoor pets or livestock, make sure their water heaters are actually plugged in and working today.
- Watch the Friday commute. With a 35% chance of snow and a high of 37°F falling throughout the day, the Friday afternoon drive will be a slushy mess that turns into a skating rink by nightfall.
The "Susie the Duck" statue might look cute in the snow, but the reality of a Wisconsin January is a lot less charming when your pipes freeze. Enjoy the 50 degrees today, Lodi. It’s the last time you’ll see it for a long, long time.