WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS EVENING
* WHAT…Heavy snow, mixed at times with freezing drizzle. A total
accumulation of 5 to 10 inches is expected, with the lower
totals over southwest Wood County. Winds gusting to 30 mph.
* WHERE…Wood, Waupaca and Portage Counties.
* WHEN…Until 6 PM CST this evening.
* IMPACTS…Snow and drifting snow will create hazardous travel
conditions.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…The combination of gusty winds and wet snow
could lead to a few power outages.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
If you travel during the storm, be sure to take a flashlight,
food, and water with you in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
The latest road conditions can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.
A MAJOR WINTER STORM WILL CONTINUE TO AFFECT THE AREA TODAY
A strong low-pressure system located near Dubuque, Iowa early
this morning will track to southern Lake Michigan by mid-day, then
to near Detroit by evening. The storm will produce widespread snow
across the area this morning. The snow will begin to taper off
across central and northern Wisconsin during the afternoon, but
will likely persist into the early evening over east-central
Wisconsin. The snow could briefly taper to freezing drizzle at
times as some pockets of drier air aloft rotate around the storm.
Slightly warmer air over Lake Michigan could also result in some
rain mixing with the snow at times along the lakeshore.
Gusty east winds early today will turn northeast during the
morning. Gusts around 25 mph are expected across north-central
Wisconsin. Winds will be stronger to the south and east, with
gusts to 40 mph possible in east-central Wisconsin. The gusty
winds will result in some blowing and drifting of the snow. The
gusty winds could also result in the breakage of trees that
become covered in wet snow, which may result in some power
outages.
Special Weather Statement
A MAJOR WINTER STORM WILL CONTINUE TO BRING SNOW AND GUSTY
WINDS TO THE AREA TODAY…
A powerful low pressure system centered over extreme northwest
Illinois early this morning will track to southern Lake Michigan
by mid-day. The storm will continue to bring snow to the area
today. The snow will be heavy at times.
At 500 am, the main band of snow with the storm extended from
north-central through northeast and into east-central Wisconsin.
Areas of heavy snow within the band were resulting in localized
snowfall rates around 1 inch per hour. Little change in the
position of the band is anticipated during the morning, though the
areas of heavy snow will gradually weaken away.
Some pockets of drier air aloft had worked into central Wisconsin
and extended in a band from near Wisconsin Rapids, Marshfield and
Stevens Point to Oshkosh. The snowfall was much lighter in this
area, and precipitation was even falling as freezing drizzle at
times. The overall trend during the morning should be for snows to
become steadier again in these areas, through that may take until
mid to late morning to occur.
Very poor travel conditions were reported, especially to the north
and west of the Fox Valley where temperatures were below freezing.
Roads from the Fox Valley to the Lakeshore were reported to be
mainly snow covered and slippery. Travel conditions across the
entire area are likely to deteriorate further as snow continues
and winds increase from the northeast. If you must travel this
morning, be sure to use extra caution and allow for considerably
slower than normal travel times. Be sure to start with a full tank
of fuel if you will be crossing open areas. Take a flashlight,
food, and water with you in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
Temperatures in east-central Wisconsin were near or just above
freezing, and this was resulting in a very heavy and wet snow that
was sticking to trees. As snow continues to accumulate on branches,
the gusty winds could result in the breakage of tree limbs and
possibly some power outages.
