How snow is cleared at Mitchell International Airport
How snow is cleared at Mitchell International Airport
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Winter isn’t quite through with The Badger State.
More than a dozen Wisconsin counties are facing a winter storm warnings between Wednesday, April 1 and Thursday, April 2, according to the National Weather Service.
As of Wednesday afternoon, warnings have been issued for the following counties:
- Midnight to noon Thursday: Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce and St. Croix counties.
- 3 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday: Southern Marinette and Oconto counties
- 1 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday: Price County
- 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday: Oneida, Vilas, Florence, Forest and northern Marinette counties
Additionally, the following counties are under an ice storm warning:
- Midnight to noon Thursday: Clark and Taylor counties
- Midnight to 10 a.m. Thursday: Jackson County
- 1 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday: Portage, Wood and Waupaca counties
- 3 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday: Marathon, Langlade, Lincoln, Menominee and Shawano counties
Forecasts call for heavy mixed precipitation, which will likely lead to up to two inches of snow and sleet accumulation and up to a quarter of an inch of ice accumulation in some northern counties, the weather service said. Wind gusts of up to 30 mph are possible in some areas.
In north central Wisconsin, snow and sleet accumulations may get to one inch, and ice accumulations up to four tenths of inch. Wind gusts of up to 35 mph are possible.
The snow will begin falling after midnight Thursday and switch over to a wintry mix of ice and snow by mid-Thursday morning in northern counties, according to Crystal Lynum, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Duluth. Snowfall rates may reach up to a half inch per hour.
There is a silver lining in the forecast. A high sun angle, and temperatures hovering just above freezing, means the snow will have a hard time accumulating on warm surfaces. But that means most areas will likely experience a slushy mess.
“It’s going to be wet, heavy snow, so shoveling will be a little hard to do,” Lynum said. “Two inches is what’s going to fall, but it’s all going to compact … so it might measure less than two inches.”
Across the impacted counties, the icy roads could make for hazardous travel conditions, especially for the Thursday morning and evening commutes. The ice may also lead to power outages and tree damage.
As for after the storm, Lynum said spring-like weather is unlikely to come to northern Wisconsin anytime soon. Temperatures will hover in the mid-40s on Friday, April 3, but the area is forecast to get another storm system over the weekend, which could lead to another inch of snow accumulation.
Here’s what else you should know about the forecast:
See weather radar for Wisconsin
What to do in a winter storm
During a winter storm, NWS advises staying inside, stocking up on food and water, and charging essential devices in case of power outages.
If you are without shelter, you can visit the 211 Wisconsin website or call 211 to locate nearby warming services.
Wisconsin road conditions
NWS advises against driving during a storm, as snow, sleet or ice can create dangerous driving conditions. For live updates on winter road conditions and accidents in Wisconsin, check out the 511 Wisconsin map .
If you must drive, here are some guidelines for navigating icy roads, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation :
- Keep safe distances between snow plows and large trucks. Stay at least 200 feet behind any working plow to make sure your visibility isn’t obscured. Also keep a safe distance behind trucks on the highway, since pieces of snow or ice can fly off the top of commercial vehicles driving fast.
- Clear snow and ice from your vehicle’s windows, roof, hood and front and rear lights. You can do this by warming up the car and then using a snow brush and ice scraper to clear the snow and ice.
- Drive slowly, allowing extra travel time and leaving extra distance between vehicles.
- Turn on your low-beam headlights. State law requires drivers to turn on their vehicle’s low-beam headlights any time weather or other conditions make it difficult to see objects 500 feet ahead, WisDOT says.
- Use brakes early and carefully. With anti-lock-brakes, use firm, steady pressure and gently steer. Never use cruise control in winter weather.
- Watch out for bridge decks and overpasses. These areas can be especially slippery when the roads ice over.
What is a winter storm warning?
- A Winter Storm Warning means snow, sleet or ice is expected, so take action.
- A Winter Storm Watch means those conditions are possible, so be prepared.
- A Winter Weather Advisory means wintery weather is expected, so be careful.
This weather report was generated automatically using information from the National Weather Service and a story written and reviewed by an editor.
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