Update: Blizzard-like snows possible Tuesday, Wednesday
JANESVILLE—National Weather Service officials said weather conditions are stacking up for a winter storm early this week that could dump historic snowfalls throughout southern Wisconsin.
Rock and Walworth counties could get socked with 15 to 18 inches of snow in two waves, with the National Weather Service predicting a smaller, weaker snow system to enter overnight, with snowfalls throughout Monday afternoon and into Tuesday expected to drop snow accumulations of 4 to 6 inches.
But a much stronger low-pressure system could knife up from the lower Midwest throughout Tuesday, pushing moist Gulf air into frigid air from the north, forecasters said.
That system could bring an additional foot of snowfall throughout southern Wisconsin late Tuesday and early Wednesday, with possible blizzard-like conditions developing.
“If it plays out like we’re thinking, it could be a historic storm for sure. It could trump the storm of (Feb. 5-6) 2008, when I-90 backed up,” said Mark Gehring, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Sullivan.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory from 3 p.m. Monday to 3 p.m. Tuesday with a blizzard watch in effect from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon.
Forecasters say snow from the storm is expected to be light and powdery, which means it could pile up faster and blow around more.
Gehring said winds in will begin to whip up in tandem with increasing snows Tuesday afternoon, with gusts of 35 to 40 mph expected to come overnight and into Wednesday during the period of heaviest expected snowfall.
Gehring said driving conditions could become extremely dangerous late Tuesday and into Wednesday morning, with blowing snow creating near-whiteout conditions and possible five to eight-foot-deep drifts in flat areas.
Wind chill is expected to cut temperatures to around zero degrees early Wednesday. “It could be near blizzard conditions if not blizzard in flat areas. Nobody should be traveling come Tuesday night and much of the day Wednesday,” said Gehring.
National Weather Service Meteorologist Chris Kuhlman said one weather model shows that the strong low pressure system Tuesday and Wednesday could skirt further south, which may lessen snowfalls a few inches in southern Wisconsin, particularly along Lake Michigan, where lake effect snows are expected as well.
But Kuhlman said heavy snows are likely in any case.
“It (Tuesday and Wednesday’s snow system) has been consistently trending further north, which puts the heaviest snow band further into Wisconsin,” he said.
Jan 31, 2011 at 9:37 p.m.
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What part of "do not travel unless absolutely necessary" is difficult to understand?
Jan 31, 2011 at 7:45 p.m.
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"We can travel to space, travel under water, across water, we can fly, reach speeds that can kill you, live in/near the north and south poles...."
That may be so, but there are lots of factors that go into the safety of those that do. The point, I believe, is that the safety and well being is first and foremost. Driving in a blizzard just doesn't seem safe.
Jan 31, 2011 at 5 p.m.
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Sigma, we all know you are a mighty brave and carry a big stick. Oh, and you also have a big truck, but some people just do not want to risk it. Some are petrified to drive on ice or snow, it is psycological. Some people are afraid to drive period. Everyone is just saying be safe and use your head!
Jan 31, 2011 at 12:39 p.m.
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I live and work in town, Sigma. Have you been on some of these streets in town within 12 hours of the snow stopping? The home I work at is about 5 or 6 lots in length with 9 homes, 3 with residents in wheelchairs (9 total people), two homes with elderly, and the rest who are gone working or at school. The street isn't plowed for up to 24 hours after the snow stops. For 3 of the homes, people MUST get there to assist these residents in their homes. The last snow fall, I had to ram through 6 inches of snow when I drove down the entire length of the street. Then when I got home, I found out I had to do the same thing on my street, but it was worse because the truck they use for a plow had finally went on the fritz... so, rather than the 6 inches, I had to charge through 8-10 inches just so I wouldn't get ticketed.
So, what's your reasoning on that one? You going to start plowing for us?
Jan 31, 2011 at 12:23 p.m.
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We can travel to space, travel under water, across water, we can fly, reach speeds that can kill you, live in/near the north and south poles.....yet people in wisconsin cant travel in 15-18 inches of snow. The highways and country roads I understand with the drifts and all... but if you live in town and cant get to work you are pretty pathetic I think.
Jan 31, 2011 at 12:19 p.m.
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johndenver - Im just reliable...and not scared of my own shadow...or a little snow.
Jan 31, 2011 at 11:07 a.m.
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No reason to drive to work in a snowstorm just to prove that you could make it in. I'll be at home using my laptop and internet connection...and will probably get more work done from home than in the office. Less distractions. And better coffee. Stay warm, everyone.
Jan 31, 2011 at 10:32 a.m.
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I am very lucky that I can work from home if need be so I don't have to choose between safety and work.
Jan 31, 2011 at 10:08 a.m.
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You're so cool Sigma
Jan 31, 2011 at 10:08 a.m.
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Report back on thursday how many of you warriors actually made it.
Jan 31, 2011 at 10:06 a.m.
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DID you not see the comment in the article that if this plays out like they think it will it will trump the 2008 storm. Well than you are all iddiots if you drive on I90 to work that day. I won't feel sorry for you when you get stuck on I90 for over 15 hours like some other idiots did in the 2008 storm. Staying home from work is not a excuse its about safety. And not endangering others!!
But for Sarah I see where you are coming from and when you have to play the wheel and hope to be hired on in this economy you have to do what you have to do and I wish you safe travels.
Jan 31, 2011 at 9:56 a.m.
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Minus same people who comment here, we cannot trump Mother Nature.
I understand SarahB's perspective! Please, just be careful! Are you able to spend the night up there to avoid too much trouble?
Jan 31, 2011 at 9:26 a.m.
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If only we could all be perfect like Sigma! Psssh...I'm hoping for a snow day so I can walk to the bar on the corner for lunch!
Jan 31, 2011 at 9:13 a.m.
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Where's Al Gore when we need him?
Jan 31, 2011 at 7:53 a.m.
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Exactly... we live in WI and winter has been happening here for quite a while now... No one should have any excuse to miss work...unless they actually shut down roads and you work outside the city.
Jan 31, 2011 at 7:32 a.m.
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Unlike a lot of lazy people that will use it as an excuse to stay home or miss work... I'll be at work on time.
Jan 30, 2011 at 11:32 p.m.
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well im wishing you safe travel sigma40:)
Jan 30, 2011 at 11:26 p.m.
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I'll be traveling... nothing can stop me.
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