Northeast Wisconsin Autumn Runs Warm, Freeze Arrives Late

Temperatures in northeast Wisconsin trended well above average from late September through early November, and Green Bay's first hard freeze came 11 days behind schedule.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Forecasts

Bare hardwood tree with a few copper leaves at the edge of a frost-covered pasture, with a weathered fence post in the foreground under a pale autumn sky. — Temperatures across northeast Wisconsin ran more than 12 degrees above normal from late September into early November, delaying Green Bay's first hard freeze until October 17. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Data from September 22 through November 3 shows temperatures in northeast Wisconsin ran well above average across the 43-day span, with recorded readings in the 70s and more than 12 degrees above normal. Green Bay's first freeze of the season arrived on October 17, eleven days later than the typical date.

Why it matters

A warmer-than-normal autumn delays the seasonal transition and can affect how residents plan for the cold months ahead. The Climate Prediction Center's November outlook points to continued above-average temperatures for Wisconsin.

Observed data from September 22 through November 3 shows average highs near 60 degrees and average lows just above 40 degrees, with daytime temperatures more than 12 degrees above normal and overnight temperatures close to 4 degrees above normal. The extraction does not specify whether this warm pattern will continue past the outlook period.

The details

Green Bay recorded its first freeze on October 17, against an average first hard freeze date of October 16, making the season 11 days late. A hard freeze occurs when temperatures drop to near or below 28 degrees, and a light freeze is defined at 32 degrees.

September 22, 2026: Autumn equinox marks the start of the temperature data period.
October 16, 2026: Average date of the first hard freeze in the region.
October 17, 2026: Green Bay recorded its first freeze of the season.
November 3, 2026: End of the temperature data period.

Seasonal Patterns

Measured against the 1991 to 2020 climatology averages, this autumn's temperatures in northeast Wisconsin ran more than 12 degrees above normal during the day and close to 4 degrees above normal overnight. The delayed first freeze in Green Bay marks a departure from the average first hard freeze date of October 16.

The Climate Prediction Center's November outlook shows 50% to 60% odds that daytime and nighttime temperatures trend above average for Wisconsin. That outlook could help lower heating and electricity bills this season.

The takeaway

Warmer autumns shift the timing of freezes and can change how households budget for heating and energy use. Checking the seasonal outlook before setting winter energy plans can help residents prepare.