More than 20 Wisconsin counties are under a winter storm warning for Tuesday, December 9, with up to 8 inches of snow expected in some areas.
As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, the National Weather Service offices in Duluth and Green Bay, Minnesota, have issued a winter storm warning for much of northwestern and central Wisconsin. Affected counties include: Burnett, Eau Claire, Dunn, St. Croix, Douglas, Sawyer, Washburn, Price, Marathon, Portage, Wood, Langlade, Lincoln, Menominee, North Oconto, Shawano, Waupaca, Barron, Polk, Rusk and Chippewa counties.
For the most affected counties, the warning is in effect from 3pm on Tuesday, December 10, to 9am on Wednesday. You can find the full list of warnings and recommendations here.
Josh Sandstrom, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Duluth, said most of the snow will fall overnight, but hazardous road conditions could affect the commute Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. During storms, wind speeds may reach up to 25 mph.
“It’s going to be a little windy outside and visibility may be low as the snow is moving in,” Sandstrom said. “If you’re driving, please be careful and drive slowly.”
The National Weather Service also predicts that the snowfall will be fairly wet and heavy, which could cause scattered tree damage and power outages.
Most counties are expected to receive between 4 and 6 inches of snow, but Sandstrom said the northwest region of the state will likely be hardest hit by a “heavy, narrow band” of snow. Particularly, heavy snow is possible from north of Eau Claire into Burnet, Washburn, Sawyer and Rice Lake counties.
In the northern end of the state, lake effect snow could also bring totals to 6 to 8 inches, Sandstrom said.
“We expect this to create a good lake effect,” Sandstrom said. “Regions along the south shore of Lake Superior will see more snow, which will put them in line with the heaviest snowfall areas.”
The winter storm comes just weeks after a Thanksgiving week storm that dumped more than two feet of snow on some far northern counties. Sundstrom said the heavy snowfall is “very typical” of a La Niña winter, which is currently occurring across the country.
In Wisconsin, clipper systems from Canada are also steadily bringing 1 to 3 inches of snow to the state every few days. After the snowfall ends Wednesday, northern Wisconsin is expected to see a weekend cold snap with light snow and widespread below-freezing temperatures, Sandstrom said.
“We’re seeing a real winter this year,” he said. “This isn’t anything terribly unusual. It’s typical of what we experience in the area when we have a nice, solid winter.”
More: Get the latest on Wisconsin winter weather with USA TODAY Network text updates
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What to do during a winter storm
During winter storms, the National Weather Service recommends staying indoors, stocking up on food and water, and charging critical devices in case of power outages.
If you do not have a shelter, you can visit the 211 Wisconsin website or call 211 to find heating services near you.
Wisconsin road conditions
The NWS recommends not driving during storms because snow, sleet, or ice can create hazardous driving conditions. For real-time updates on Wisconsin winter road conditions and accidents, check out the 511 Wisconsin map.
If you must drive, here are some guidelines for driving on icy roads, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation:
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Keep a safe distance between snowplows and large trucks. Stay at least 200 feet away from a working plow to ensure your view is not blocked. Also, keep a safe distance from trucks on the highway, as snow or ice can fly from the top of a fast-moving commercial vehicle.
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Clear snow and ice From the windows, roof, hood and front and rear lights. You can do this by preheating your car and then using a snow brush and ice scraper to remove snow and ice.
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drive slowly, Allow for extra travel time and leave extra distance between vehicles.
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Turn on the low beam headlights. WisDOT said state law requires drivers to turn on their vehicle’s low-beam headlights at any time when weather or other conditions make it difficult to see objects 500 feet ahead.
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Apply the brakes early and carefully. With anti-lock brakes, apply firm, steady pressure and steer gently. Never use cruise control in winter.
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Watch for bridge decks and overpasses. When roads are icy, these areas can be especially slippery.
What is a winter storm warning?
A winter storm warning is more serious than a watch or warning. According to the NWS, here’s what the different alerts mean:
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A winter storm warning means snow, sleet or ice is expected, so take action.
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A winter storm watch means these conditions are possible, so be prepared.
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A Winter Weather Warning means winter weather is expected, so please use caution.
This weather forecast is automatically generated using information from the National Weather Service and stories written and reviewed by editors.
Check out the latest weather alerts and forecasts here.
This article originally appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Winter storm warning issued for much of northwestern, central Wisconsin
