Snow, Ice To Arrive Early This Evening: Hazardous Travel Possible Across Southern Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE, WI — A winter storm will move into Wisconsin early this evening, bringing a fast-hitting mix of snow, freezing rain, and rain that could make travel hazardous across the region, according to the National Weather Service.

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday for much of southern and central Wisconsin, including Madison, Waukesha, Milwaukee, West Bend, Beaver Dam, Portage, Dodgeville, and Janesville.

Snow is expected to begin between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., depending on location. Most areas will start with snow before transitioning to a wintry mix this evening.

The period between 7 p.m. and 2 a.m. is expected to bring the greatest travel impacts, with the potential for freezing rain, especially in southwest Wisconsin.

Snow totals will vary sharply across the state. Central and east-central Wisconsin, including Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Waupun, and Berlin, may see 2 to 4 inches.

Areas from Madison to Waukesha and Beaver Dam will fall in a 1 to 2 inch range, though totals depend heavily on how long precipitation stays mixed.

Farther south and southwest, including Dodgeville, Darlington, Monroe, Janesville, and Lake Geneva, may see a coating up to 1 inch, with freezing rain more likely than heavy snow.

Forecasters warn that even small shifts in the storm track could significantly affect snow totals and ice impacts. Rain falling on cold pavement may also create slick spots early in the event.

Behind the cold front, precipitation will change back to snow everywhere between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., with light snow lingering into the Wednesday morning commute.

Drivers are encouraged to allow for extra travel time tonight and again Wednesday morning.

Here's the full NWS forecast from the Milwaukee Airport:

Today: A 40 percent chance of snow after 5pm. Cloudy, with a high near 33. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tonight: Snow, possibly mixed with rain, mainly after 5am. Low around 30. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 20 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Wednesday: Snow, mainly before noon. Temperature falling to around 25 by 5pm. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 11. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 22. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9. West wind around 5 mph.

Friday: A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 24. West wind 5 to 15 mph.

Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 1. West wind around 15 mph.

Saturday: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy and cold, with a high near 9.

Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around -2.

Sunday:Mostly sunny, with a high near 11.

Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 2.

Monday: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 22.