Strong Winds, Snow To Create Hazardous Travel Across Southern Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE, WI — A fast-moving winter system is expected to bring a rapid transition from rain to snow, strong winds, and hazardous travel conditions across southern and eastern Wisconsin from Sunday evening into Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters say mild temperatures and rain during the day Sunday will give way quickly to snow as a strong cold front moves through the region Sunday afternoon and evening. The rain-to-snow transition is expected to occur between roughly 3 and 9 p.m., with temperatures falling quickly and wet road surfaces likely freezing.

Snowfall totals are expected to vary across the region. The highest chance for accumulating snow of 3 inches or more is north of a line from Dodgeville to Port Washington. In that area, snowfall totals of 2 to 5 inches are forecast, with locally higher amounts possible. Southeast of that line, including parts of southeastern Wisconsin, snowfall totals are expected to range from 1 to 3 inches, with the lowest amounts near the Illinois border.

Snow is expected to continue Sunday evening into Monday morning, with the most impactful period for travel occurring overnight as snow combines with strong winds.

Winds will be a major factor in travel impacts.

The NWS has issued a Wind Advisory from 6 p.m. Sunday through 6 p.m. Monday, with northwest wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph. These strong winds are expected to cause blowing and drifting snow, particularly in areas that receive 2 inches or more of accumulation and along north-south roadways. Even after snowfall tapers off Monday morning, gusty winds are expected to persist and continue reducing visibility.

Travel difficulties are expected, especially north of Interstate 94 and U.S. Highway 151, where stronger winds and higher snowfall totals overlap.

The NWS urges drivers to use caution, slow down, and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions, including icy roads, reduced visibility, and strong crosswinds.

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

Sunday: Rain. Widespread fog, mainly before 10am. High near 47. South wind around 5 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Sunday Night: Snow, possibly mixed with rain, becoming all snow after 10pm. Patchy blowing snow after 10pm. Low around 19. Windy, with a west wind 10 to 20 mph increasing to 20 to 30 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Monday: Snow likely, mainly before noon. Areas of blowing snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 26. Wind chill values between zero and 10. Windy, with a northwest wind 25 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Monday Night: Patchy blowing snow before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 12. Windy, with a northwest wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of snow after noon. Increasing clouds, with a high near 25. West wind around 15 mph.

Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of snow after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 10.

New Year's Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 16.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 7.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 22.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 31.