Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin – Blizzard conditions are expected to intensify Sunday afternoon across parts of southwest Wisconsin and northeast Iowa as strong winds up to 60 mph whip heavy snow into whiteouts, making travel dangerous through early Monday.
According to the National Weather Service in La Crosse, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 1 p.m. Monday for Crawford, Grant, and Richland counties in Wisconsin, while a Blizzard Warning continues until 7 a.m. Monday for northeast Iowa counties including Winneshiek, Allamakee, Fayette, and Clayton.
Snowfall totals in southwest Wisconsin are expected to reach 6 to 9 inches, while northeast Iowa could see 4 to 6 inches. Winds strengthening to 50 mph in Wisconsin and up to 60 mph in Iowa will cause widespread blowing and drifting snow, sharply reducing visibility and creating near-zero visibility at times.
Communities including Prairie du Chien, Platteville, Richland Center, Decorah, Waukon, Oelwein, and Elkader may see the worst conditions Sunday evening into overnight. Roads across the region — particularly north of Interstate 90 — could become nearly impassable as drifting snow builds.
The storm could also snap tree branches and lead to scattered power outages, especially where heavy snow combines with strong winds.
Officials urge residents to avoid travel unless it is an emergency. If travel is unavoidable, carry a winter survival kit and monitor road conditions at 511wi.gov in Wisconsin or 511ia.org in Iowa.
Additional snow will continue overnight before tapering Monday morning, but hazardous travel could linger through the Monday commute, with warnings remaining in effect until conditions improve.
