Blowing Snow And 50 MPH Gusts Hitting Wisconsin Today, With Weekend Snowstorm Likely

WISCONSIN — Strong winds, blowing snow, and slick travel conditions will continue Wednesday, with a Winter Weather Advisory and Wind Advisory both in effect, according to the National Weather Service in Milwaukee.

Snow totals will generally range from a half-inch to around one inch across southern Wisconsin, with higher amounts of 2 to 4 inches in the Kettle Moraine region. Blowing snow remains a concern, especially north of I-94.

Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph will continue through the afternoon. The NWS warns that visibility may drop below two miles at times, and travel could be hazardous, particularly for high-profile vehicles on north–south roads. Loose outdoor objects may also be blown around.

Advisories in Effect Wednesday

• Winter Weather Advisory: Until 6 PM for accumulating snow and blowing snow
• Wind Advisory: 6 AM to 6 PM for all of southern Wisconsin

Areas north of I-94 will see the greatest travel impacts.

Weekend Storm: Increasing Chance for Accumulating Snow

Confidence is rising that another system will bring accumulating snow across southern Wisconsin this weekend, especially Saturday afternoon through Saturday night.

This will be a long-duration event, potentially lasting much of Saturday and into the evening.

However, the NWS notes that:

• The storm track is still uncertain
• Snowfall intensity and exact totals depend on that track
• Travel impacts may change as details become clearer

What Drivers Should Do Now

• Expect slick roads and reduced visibility today
• Plan ahead for potential travel impacts this weekend
• Keep up with updates from the National Weather Service as confidence increases

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

Today: Snow, mainly before 5pm. Patchy blowing snow before 5pm. High near 36. Windy, with a west wind around 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tonight: A 30 percent chance of snow before 9pm. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 23. Windy, with a west wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph.

Thanksgiving Day: A chance of flurries before noon, then a slight chance of snow after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 32. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 20. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 30. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow after midnight. Increasing clouds, with a low around 21. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 34. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Saturday Night: Snow, possibly mixed with rain, becoming all snow after midnight. Low around 25. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday: A 40 percent chance of snow, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32.

Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 10.

Monday: A 20 percent chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 22.

Monday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 7.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 22.