Milwaukee Braces For Snow As Midweek Storm Approaches: WI Weather

UPDATE: Potent Storm Barrels Down On Milwaukee And Beyond: WI Weather

MILWAUKEE, WI — A powerful midweek storm system is set to bring a mix of rain, thunderstorms, and a rapid transition to snow across the Milwaukee metro area on Wednesday night.

While the day will start with rain and even a few strong storms, colder air will sweep in from the northwest, turning precipitation to snow late in the evening, according to the National Weather Service.

Total accumulations are expected to remain on the lower end—likely under two inches in Milwaukee—gusty winds up to 35 mph could lead to reduced visibility and slick road conditions overnight into Thursday morning.

The best chance for slightly higher totals (2-4 inches) will be north and west of Milwaukee, including West Bend and Port Washington.

Here are the chances and snow amounts by location, according to the NWS:

• Milwaukee: Expected snowfall is less than 1 inch, with a high-end potential of 3 inches.
  • 75% chance of at least a dusting (0.1 inch)
  • 53% chance of at least 1 inch
  • 31% chance of at least 2 inches
  • Only a 6% chance of 4 inches or more
• Waukesha: Similar forecast to Milwaukee, with less than 1 inch expected, up to 3 inches possible.
  • 74% chance of at least a dusting
  • 55% chance of at least 1 inch
  • 36% chance of at least 2 inches
• Racine, Kenosha: Even lower snowfall amounts, with less than 1 inch expected, and a max potential of 2 inches.
  • 85% chance of at least a dusting in Racine, 84% in Kenosha
  • 47% chance of at least 1 inch in Racine, 42% in Kenosha
  • Very low probability of more than 2 inches
• Port Washington, West Bend: Expected snowfall under 1 inch, with a high-end of 3-4 inches.
  • 80-92% chance of a dusting
  • 59-74% chance of 1 inch
  • 35-50% chance of 2 inches

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

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 38. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 49. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming east in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of rain after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south after midnight.

Wednesday: Rain likely before 1pm, then rain and possibly a thunderstorm between 1pm and 4pm, then rain after 4pm. High near 49. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 4am. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 29. Blustery, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 40. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 31. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southwest after midnight.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 52.

Friday Night: A chance of rain before 1am, then a chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday: A slight chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 45. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Sunday: A 20 percent chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 44.