It might seem like summer just started, but the Fourth of July will be here on Thursday.

Perhaps you’re looking forward to celebrating with a cookout, boat ride or fireworks. But, before you plan your festivities, you should probably check the forecast.

Showers and possible thunderstorms developing along a warm front passing through Iowa and Illinois could dampen celebrations across Wisconsin during peak fireworks hours, said Milwaukee-Sullivan National Weather Service meteorologist Mark Gehring. This system is expected to spread from the southwestern portion of the state to the northeast throughout the day.

Here’s what to know if you’re celebrating Independence Day in Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Fourth of July forecast

Milwaukee can expect a high around 80 degrees on Thursday, July 4, with warmer temperatures further from Lake Michigan. A 30% chance of precipitation is in the forecast for the city after 1 p.m. Winds are expected to be light for daytime celebrations.

Thursday evening, precipitation chances climb to 40% around 6 p.m. and increase throughout the night. Thunderstorms are possible late in the evening. Gehring said it’s not yet certain whether the storms will hold off until most fireworks shows are over.

“That 50% chance (of precipitation) won’t be until late in the evening,” he said. “I think there’s a pretty good chance any fireworks that are occurring the evening of the Fourth, you could still get them in. But, it’s really up in the air here what’s going to happen Thursday night.”

Madison Fourth of July forecast

Madison is expected to see a high around 82 degrees on Thursday, with partly sunny weather through the early afternoon. Winds are expected to be calm. Showers and thunderstorms are possible after 1 p.m., NWS says, with a 55% chance of precipitation at 6 p.m., increasing throughout the evening.

Like in Milwaukee, it is not yet certain whether the storms will disrupt peak fireworks hours or strike later on in the night, Gehring said.

Green Bay and Door County Fourth of July forecast

Widespread periods of rain are expected in the evening and overnight hours of July 4 in northeastern Wisconsin, but the exact timing is still unknown, said Green Bay NWS meteorologist Gus Kaiser.

A high of 83 degrees is in the forecast for Green Bay on Thursday. Door County is expected to see a high near 80.

“There is a 30 to 40% chance (of precipitation) here in Green Bay after about 6-7 p.m. and increasing through the evening,” Kaiser said. “Then, Door County is that pushed back an hour or two. So, the further east you are, the better chance things could be dry for fireworks.”

Rhinelander and northwestern Wisconsin Fourth of July forecast

July 4 showers and storms are most likely during peak fireworks time in northwestern and north-central Wisconsin. In Rhinelander, precipitation chances are expected to increase from 50% to 70% throughout the holiday afternoon, Kaiser said.

Rhinelander is expected to see a high of 79 degrees on Independence Day with chances of showers beginning around 1 p.m. and increasing throughout the evening.

A high of 81 degrees is in the forecast for Eau Claire with calm winds in the afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms are expected throughout the holiday. Precipitation chances climb from 55% at 3 p.m. to 70% at 9 p.m.

Can I shoot off fireworks during a thunderstorm?

It is not recommended to shoot off fireworks during a storm.

According to WeatherSTEM, lightning is the most dangerous weather condition in which to hold fireworks shows. Unlit fireworks can be sparked by stray lightning strikes and ignite on the ground, which can be quite hazardous for people nearby. Additionally, spectators risk being struck by lightning if sitting outside to watch fireworks during a storm.

Plus, storms can ruin the magic of a fireworks show. Storms can bring humid conditions and high levels of water vapor in the air. If the air is too humid, fireworks’ colors will be less bright, and they may not light properly.

Wisconsin weather radar

Wisconsin weather warnings

More: Where to watch Fourth of July fireworks in Milwaukee, Madison, Racine, other Wisconsin cities

More: Milwaukee mayor announces July 4 festivities in wake of cancellation of lakefront fireworks

MILWAUKEE — Brice Turang hit Milwaukee’s fifth grand slam in its last eight games as part of a seven-run fourth inning, and the Brewers rolled to a 7-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday.

Freddy Peralta (6-4) and Jakob Junis combined on a two-hitter to help the NL Central-leading Brewers win their ninth consecutive home series. Milwaukee hasn’t dropped a series at American Family Field since the New York Yankees took two of three from April 26-28.

The Brewers became the second team in major league history to hit five grand slams in an eight-game span, joining San Diego in 2020.

“We just have to keep doing what we’ve been doing,” Peralta said. “Probably some people around don’t see us — at the end of the season, they don’t see us being in a good spot — or probably in spring training they didn’t expect us to be where we are right now. But we’re the Brewers, and we’ve been doing this for like the last six years.”

Milwaukee’s highest-scoring inning of the season backed up a sparkling performance from Peralta, who worked seven innings and retired his last 14 batters.

After Nico Hoerner sent Peralta’s second pitch of the game over the left field wall, the right-hander bore down and struck out eight while allowing only two hits and two walks. Junis walked one over the final two innings.

Christian Yelich hit a 422-foot, two-run home run in the fourth off Kyle Hendricks to put Milwaukee ahead. With one out, Cubs right fielder Ian Happ misjudged a fly ball from Rhys Hoskins, who was credited with a single.

“I kind of had a good bead on it, and it turned and moved a long way, kind of towards left-center there on its way down,” Happ said. “I probably wasn’t in a great spot. I kind of thought it was going to be more up against the wall over there, and I got turned around. Obviously not my best moment out there and it puts Kyle in a tough spot.”

Sal Frelick followed with an RBI base hit, and with two outs, Turang sent his drive over the right-field wall to end Hendricks’ day.

It was Turang’s second grand slam in his last five games and his sixth home run of the season, matching his total as a rookie last year.

“I worked extremely hard to get back to my swing,” said Turang, who is batting .292 this season after hitting .218 as a rookie last year. “I lifted in the gym. That’s where you’re going to get the strength. I’m not trying to crush, or hit homers. I’m trying to hit the ball hard back up the middle and just square it up. Good things happen when you’re focused like that on trying to hit the ball back up the middle.”

Turang started Milwaukee’s flurry of grand slams on June 22 in the ninth inning of a 6-4 loss at San Diego. Three of his 12 career home runs have come with the bases loaded.

Hendricks (1-6) gave up 7 runs and 7 hits in 3 2/3 innings while striking out 3 and walking 1.

    Milwaukee Brewers’ Brice Turang hits a grand slam during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
  

    Milwaukee Brewers’ Christian Yelich is congratulated after hitting a home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
  

    during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
  

    Milwaukee Brewers’ Jake Bauers hits a single during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
  

    during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
  

    Chicago Cubs’ Nico Hoerner is congratulated after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
  

The head chef and owner of Milwaukee restaurant Amilinda says the expected boost from the upcoming Republican National Convention isn’t materializing, and even regulars won’t be showing up during convention week. 

Gregory Leon has been running the Spanish-Portuguese restaurant for close to nine years in downtown Milwaukee, about two blocks away from the edge of the security zone for the RNC. In an interview Friday, he said the close proximity to the political event will put a damper on his business. 

“It’s not just me,” he told WisBusiness.com. “It’s a lot of restaurants in the city that have not seen that boost that we were told would happen.” 

Despite expectations, Amilinda hasn’t landed any RNC-related bookings, and Leon says he’s been hearing from regular customers that they’ll be staying away while the convention is underway July 15-18. 

“It’s also just keeping our regulars away,” he said. “A lot of our regulars have told us that they’re not going to be coming downtown that week, which I completely understand. So not only are we not getting a boost, it’s also hindering our normal, you know, traffic.” 

Leon also said “who I am and what I stand for” may not align fully with conservative convention-goers. 

“I’m gay, I’m half-Jewish, I’m half-Latino … we do a lot of work with refugees, and raise money for lots of other causes,” he said, noting a quick Google search of the restaurant would reveal his own progressive viewpoint. “And I’m speculating. I’m not saying everybody who’s coming to the convention would feel that way, but, you know.” 

The restaurant is typically only open for dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, but will be adding hours on the Monday and Tuesday of the convention week as well. Leon says he’s requested permits to be open until at least 2 a.m. on the days the convention takes place. 

“We’re right next to one of the hotels where the press will be staying,” he said, referring to the nearby Marriott. “So we’re hoping, you know, we get some of that business.” 

He argued organizers and tourism officials should be “a little more cautious” in their predictions about the convention’s immediate impact on local businesses, though he added he expects it will benefit the city overall. 

“It’s a good, safe place with great things to do and great cuisine … I’m hoping that this translates to people coming next year for their vacation, or the following year,” he said. “I’m sure the people who are in the red zone, the security zone, are going to do great. I’m sure the businesses in the Pfizer Forum are going to do great. That’s awesome, good for them.” 

But he added “maybe don’t paint it as” something that’s going to be great for everyone involved. 

See more about the restaurant and find more convention coverage at WisPolitics.