Warm Weather Brings Crowds to Bradford Beach in Milwaukee

Residents and visitors flock to lakefront on unseasonably warm February day

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Milwaukee experienced a break from typical frigid February temperatures, drawing crowds of people to Bradford Beach on Saturday. Couples, families, and friends took advantage of the warm weather to walk dogs, play on the rocks, and take photos along the lakefront.

Why it matters

Unseasonably warm winter weather is becoming more common in the Midwest due to climate change, leading to changes in typical seasonal activities and outdoor recreation patterns. The influx of people to Bradford Beach highlights how residents and visitors are adapting to these shifting weather patterns.

The details

With temperatures reaching the 50s Fahrenheit, people flocked to Bradford Beach in Milwaukee to enjoy the unexpected warmth. Some visitors wore coats or jackets, while others opted for t-shirts and shorts as they walked their dogs, played on the rocks, and took photos along the frozen waves.

  • The warm weather arrived on Saturday, February 14, 2026.

The players

Samantha Wilson

A visitor to the Milwaukee area who was experiencing the Great Lakes for the first time.

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What they’re saying

“We came down here, took pictures, walked out on the frozen waves. My kids have never seen a Great Lake, so it was a great experience.”

— Samantha Wilson (fox6now.com)

The takeaway

The influx of people to Bradford Beach on an unseasonably warm February day highlights how residents and visitors in the Midwest are adapting to the effects of climate change, with warmer winter weather becoming more common and impacting typical seasonal activities and outdoor recreation patterns.