Updated Snowfall Totals: Hours Of Snow Set To Slam Wisconsin Through Tonight

WISCONSIN — A significant winter storm is moving across Wisconsin today, with travel conditions expected to deteriorate quickly this afternoon as snowfall rates intensify, according to the National Weather Service in Milwaukee.

A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect through early Sunday for nearly the entire region. Forecasters say the most dangerous travel window will be late this morning through this evening, when snowfall rates will peak and visibility will drop sharply.

Widespread 8–12 Inches Likely; Higher Totals Along Lake Michigan

The storm remains on track to bring 8 to 12 inches of snow statewide, with the potential for locally higher totals in two key areas:

• South of I-94/US-18, closest to the main storm track
• East-central and southeast Wisconsin, where lake enhancement may push totals into the 12–14 inch range near the Kettle Moraine and the Lake Michigan shoreline

Forecast ranges from the NWS show:

• Milwaukee: 4–6 inches by noon, another 3–4 inches by evening
• Madison: 2–3 inches by late morning, 4–6 inches by evening
• Sheboygan, Port Washington, West Bend: 8–12 inches with locally higher totals
• Janesville, Dodgeville, Monroe: 9–12 inches
• Fond du Lac, Beaver Dam, Waupun: 8–10 inches

Most snow will accumulate between noon and 9 p.m., when hourly snowfall rates will peak across east-central Wisconsin.

Travel Expected To Rapidly Worsen This Afternoon

The NWS warns that the combination of intensifying snow and increasing rates will lead to quickly deteriorating road conditions:

• Snowfall rates jump this afternoon, particularly between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Roads may become snow-covered in a short time
• Visibility will fall during heavier bursts of snow
• Travel is strongly discouraged late today and tonight

“If possible, avoid travel this afternoon and evening,” the NWS said.

Blowing Snow Sunday: Lingering Impacts

Snow will end early Sunday morning, but gusty northwest winds, frequently 25 to 35 mph, with some gusts over 40 mph, will blow loose snow across roads through much of the day.

This could lead to:

• Slick spots, especially on less-treated surfaces
• Sudden reductions in visibility, mainly east of I-39
• Ongoing issues into Sunday afternoon and early evening

The NWS highlighted three corridors most at risk for blowing snow impacts:

• I-43 between Sheboygan and Milwaukee
• I-41 between Fond du Lac and the WI-IL line
• I-94 between Madison and the WI-IL line

Sunday Travel: Plan For Delays

Even though snowfall ends early, conditions may remain hazardous:

• Expect blowing snow through 4 p.m. Sunday
• Budget extra time for any essential travel
• Use caution, especially on east-west roads vulnerable to crosswinds

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

Today: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Patchy blowing snow after 4pm. High near 33. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 4 to 6 inches possible.

Tonight: Snow, possibly mixed with rain, becoming all snow after 4am. The snow could be heavy at times. Patchy blowing snow before 7pm. Low around 29. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 6 inches possible.

Sunday: A 50 percent chance of snow, mainly before 9am. Patchy blowing snow between 7am and 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 32. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 10. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

Monday: A 20 percent chance of snow after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 24. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. West wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 25. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30.

Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 6.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 20.

Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8.

Friday: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29.