When Winter Can’t Make Up Its Mind: What the NWS Forecast Means for Your Floors
Wisconsin winters are nothing new. Cold, snow, ice — we plan for it every year.
But some winters are harder to manage than others, and according to the National Weather Service and the NOAA Climate Prediction Center, this season is shaping up to be one of them.
The reason isn’t record-breaking cold or nonstop snowfall. Instead, it’s unpredictability.
The remainder of this winter will bring frequent temperature swings — warming during the day, freezing again at night — creating a steady freeze–thaw cycle. And while that phrase might sound technical, it really means that this winter, slip risks will be higher than usual.
Why Freeze–Thaw Winters Feel Harder to Manage
A freeze–thaw cycle happens when snow and ice melt during warmer parts of the day, then refreeze once temperatures drop again.
This creates a constant loop of winter slip risks:
- Snow and ice melt outside
- Water and salt spread across walkways
- Moisture gets tracked inside
- Temperatures drop and everything refreezes
- The cycle starts over the next day
Instead of one steady set of winter conditions, you and your floors are battling against repeated cycles of getting soggy, then drying out – sometimes multiple times in a single day.
That’s when things start to feel harder to stay ahead of.
What That Looks Like Inside Your Building
Across Wisconsin, we’ve already been seeing the effect of the unpredictable weather in commercial spaces:
- Entrances staying wet much longer during warm-ups
- Salt building up faster than expected
- Mats reaching saturation limits earlier in the day
- Slush being reintroduced once everything melts again
Even when sidewalks are shoveled and salt is down, moisture has a way of lingering indoors during freeze–thaw winters. Floors don’t always get the chance to fully dry out before the next wave of traffic comes through.
Winter Slip Risks Increase During Temperature Swings
Slips, trips, and falls are the leading cause of worker’s compensation claims in Wisconsin, but there’s more to blame than just snow. The risks increase when moisture sticks around.
When floors remain damp:
- Traction decreases
- Salt residue erodes floor finishes
- Mats lose effectiveness once they’re saturated
- High-traffic areas stay slippery for longer periods of time
During freeze–thaw conditions, those risks don’t build slowly — they stack and compound quickly.
This shows up most during morning hours, midday warm-ups, and in spaces where people naturally pause or pass through repeatedly, like queue lines, main walking paths, and interior walk-off zones.
The good news? Businesses can prevent slips and falls… and it’s easier than you might think.
Why Entrances Take the Biggest Hit
Entrances are the first place winter shows up indoors. They absorb everything coming off boots, carts, and equipment.
In freeze–thaw conditions, they also tend to:
- Stay wet longer than expected
- Collect more salt and slush
- Experience heavier wear in a shorter time
Once moisture makes it past the entrance, you start to see it show up in queues, waiting areas, and the everyday paths people take next — down hallways, toward reception, and into nearby spaces.
Winter Floor Care Tips for Freeze-Thaw Cycles
In more predictable winters, mat programs often run smoothly without many changes. But when temperatures fluctuate like this, conditions shift faster than routines.
A few things tend to make the biggest difference in reducing winter slip risks:
- Using the right combination of scraper mats and carpeted mats to both scrape debris and absorb moisture
- Sizing mats appropriately so they can handle repeated traffic without becoming overwhelmed
- Paying attention to traffic patterns, including where people pause or line up
- Adding or adjusting mat coverage temporarily during warm-ups or heavy melt periods
Sometimes, small changes — made at the right time — can prevent much bigger issues later in the day.
The Bigger Picture
The challenge this winter isn’t just what’s happening outside — it’s how often conditions change once people start moving through your building.
When temperatures rise and fall repeatedly, moisture moves constantly. Businesses that recognize that early tend to stay ahead of it, rather than reacting after floors become harder to manage.
If your entrances feel like they’re working overtime this season, you’re not imagining it. We’re all feeling the effects of this unpredictability!
Get a Floor Mat Expert on Your Side
We spend a lot of time thinking about floors, mats, and how the weather impacts real businesses — especially during Wisconsin winters like this one.
If something in your space feels harder to manage than usual, we’re always happy to talk it through. Sometimes all it takes is a small adjustment to make a noticeable difference. Contact us today!
