A deceptively powerful winter storm is expected to pound Wisconsin over the next 24-36 hours, with a bit of everything in the works – taking the state as a whole. The trick is ferreting out exactly who’s getting what and when. Right now, Sheboygan County finds itself between two distinct scenarios: one with snow measured in feet, and the other with springlike thunderstorms. In the middle of that, a smorgasbord of weather is expected with winter weather dominating, but not the nice, clean sort.
NWS Graphic
-Winter Weather Advisory Now Until 4 PM With Wide Variations Elsewhere-
Light sleet, at times mixed with snow and freezing rain was occurring early this morning, making area roadways slick according to Wisconsin 511 road information. Accumulations of up to 3 inches were forecast in Sheboygan County this morning before rain and possible thunderstorms wash that down this afternoon, but highs remain limited to the 30s – near 40.
Wisconsin 511 Map at 6 Am Indicates Slippery Roads
To our north, heavy snow and sleet is falling under a Winter Storm Warning that transitions to a Blizzard Warning at 4 this afternoon, with predictions of 12-20 inch accumulations in Calumet County. Manitowoc County expects the same transition but at 7 PM, and 10-18 inch accumulations are predicted, lightest in the south. Snowfall to our north will be whipped on 50-60 MPH wind gusts generating blizzard conditions. The warnings there last until 4 PM Monday.
To the south, temperatures rising into the 50s from Milwaukee County southward will bring mostly rain and limit overall snow accumulations to a few inches.
-Winter Storm Warning Here 7PM Today Until 4 PM Monday-
NWS Graphic
A Winter Storm Warning was issued for Sheboygan and Dodge Counties from 7 PM today until 4 PM Monday as heavy snow and some mixed precipitation is forecast to add up to between 5 and 8 inches by tomorrow night. Snow will be accompanied by winds gusting as high as 45 MPH that will result in blowing and drifting while elevate the risk of power outages as the wet nature of the snow is expected to weigh down power lines and tree branches. Winter Storm Warnings affect southeastern Wisconsin north of a Cedar Grove – Beloit line, and the highest hourly snow rates are expected between midnight tonight and daybreak on Monday.
-Governor Evers Issues State of Emergency-
In advance of the storm, Governor Evers declared a State of Emergency in order to make staff from the Department of Emergency Management, the DNR, the State Patrol and the Wisconsin National Guard available to assist local officials where needed. The order will continue through Tuesday, March 16.
-Bottom Line for Sheboygan County-
NWS Graphic
Expect mixed precipitation Sunday with rain taking over after 8 AM with highs approaching 40 degrees. Mixed frozen precipitation is expected between around 9 PM and 3 AM when snow becomes dominant. Some areas could be spared heavy snow accumulations with only a few inches, but the widespread risk of 5-8 inches of wind-blown snow has necessitated a Winter Storm Warning. Snow should be done by Monday evening and, with clear skies to follow, lows are expected to hit the single digits with wind chills from zero to 10 below. Tuesday should be sunny with cold highs in the low-mid 20s.
Comments