Break out the winter coats this weekend

It's time to break out the winter coats this weekend if residents plan to watch Sauk Prairie's youth soccer and youth football players participate in games.

The temps will feel more like late November than early October this weekend, as cold air from Canada covers Wisconsin in a blanket of frost and near record low temperatures

The National Weather Service has issued a frost advisory for 12 southern Wisconsin counties including Sauk County, between 1 a.m. and 8 a.m. Saturday, as temperatures fall to the upper 20s.

Temperatures will be even colder early Sunday morning, dropping down to the mid-20s, prompting the weather service to issue a freeze warning for Crawford, Grant and Richland Counties and a freeze watch for 13 other counties including Sauk County.

What's the difference between a frost and a freeze? A frost means sensitive outdoor plants could be killed if left uncovered. A freeze means temperatures will fall below 32 degrees, which will kill crops and other sensitive plants.

To top off the cold, snow is in the forecast as well.

Weather Central meteorologist Kelly Curran said we could get a few light rain and snow showers late Saturday afternoon into Saturday evening, with another chance of rain and/or snow showers Sunday night and Monday morning.

Snow isn't expected to accumulate here, but there could be some accumulation in central Wisconsin of up to a quarter-inch of snow on grassy surfaces Saturday night.

Friday should start out a bit gloomy with clouds and a chance of rain in the morning, but the sun will break through Friday afternoon with a high near 50.

Temperatures will be in the mid- to upper 40s during the day this weekend, but should drop down to 30 in the Friday overnight hours, the mid-20s Saturday night and right around freezing on Sunday night.

The low early Sunday morning could approach record territory in Madison. The coldest Oct. 11 for the capital city was 23 degrees in 1987.

Daytime highs should stay in the upper 40s Monday and Tuesday, with rain and snow showers turning to scattered rain on Monday and partly sunny skies returning on Tuesday.

Slightly warmer weather will move in next week, with highs of 53 on Wednesday and 56 on Thursday. Rain could develop Thursday afternoon and evening.

 

Community Events

Now to Oct. 18

• Duane Brissette is the next artist to inhabit the River Arts Gallery in Prairie du Sac with his style of narrative surrealism from now to Oct. 18. The exhibit is available during school hours.

Now to Nov. 15

• Cleaner by Nature in Sauk City is collecting basic winter necessities during the "A Gift of Warmth" campaign from Sept. 15 to Nov. 15. The company is collecting gently used coats, snow pants, mittens, or hats along with other winter items. Items will be collected at Cleaner by Nature, 823 Phillips Boulevard in Sauk City or the St. Vincent de Paul store in Prairie du Sac. Everything will be cleaned and delivered to the Sauk Prairie School District to be given to local families in need. For more information, call 643-7300.

Oct. 9 and 10

• The Harrisburg-Troy Historical Society will host a community sale from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 9 and from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 10 at the Railway Mall on Water Street in Sauk City. The event includes homemade pies, McNess vanilla and Pizza Plaza discount coupons. The proceeds will benefit the society.

Oct. 9, 16 and 23

• Community Business Bank of Sauk City and Lodi is offering free business breakfast seminars at its Sauk City location from 7:45 to 9 a.m. Oct. 9, 16 and 23. This is a seminar series on topics for today's business environment. The discussions are as follows: options in healthcare insurance coverage, networking basics and recruiting - "You can have a dream team." Registration and continental breakfast is from 7:30 to 7:45 a.m. To reserve a spot, call 643-6300 or e-mail bbreunig@cbbwi.com.

Oct. 10, Nov. 14 and Dec. 12

• Grady the Literacy Dog will visit the Sauk City Public Library to listen to area children read at 11 a.m. Oct 10, Nov. 14 and Dec 12. Children 4 years and older can register to read with Grady or stop in to see if he's available. Parental permission is required. To make reservations or for information, call 643-8346.

Oct. 11, 18 and 25

• Dance lessons for the country two-step is from noon to 1:15 p.m. Oct. 11, 18 and 25 at Park Hall, 307 Polk St. in Sauk City. The cost is $54 per person or $98 for two people. To register, call 643-3488.

Oct. 12

• The Save Sauk group will host an open discussion session at 7 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Old Fair Valley School building next to Ace Hardware in Sauk City to discuss its version of Sauk City's downtown.

Oct. 12, 19 and 26

• The Sauk City Pizza Hut will donate a portion of each buffet sold on Oct. 12, 19 and 26 during the evening hours to the Sauk Prairie Optimist Club. Proceeds fund such child-related things as student of the month and middle level leader, badger state boys and girls, optimist oratorical contest and essay contest, the Sauk Prairie Recreation Department, scholarships, and a cure for cancer, to name a few.