Green Bay, Wisconsin – A major winter storm is set to blanket northeast Wisconsin with heavy snow and strong winds from Sunday afternoon through Monday, creating hazardous travel conditions and raising the risk of power outages across the region.
Snow will intensify Sunday afternoon in Vilas County, then expand south and east through Sunday night. According to the National Weather Service Green Bay office, snowfall rates will increase overnight as gusty winds develop, leading to widespread blowing and drifting snow. Visibilities may drop below a quarter mile at times, especially in open and rural areas.
Winter Storm Warnings now cover nearly all of northeast Wisconsin, including Brown, Door, Outagamie, Winnebago, Marathon, Portage, Vilas, Oneida, and Marinette counties. Snow totals will vary by location. Vilas County, including Eagle River and Lac du Flambeau, could see 8 to 12 inches. Northern Iron and Forest counties may reach 5 to 8 inches, while Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, and Manitowoc are expected to receive 3 to 6 inches.
Winds gusting up to 40 mph will create significant drifting and reduced visibility, particularly on north-south roadways such as Highway 41, Highway 45, and Highway 29. According to WisDOT, travel conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly Sunday night, with plowing operations hampered by blowing snow. The Monday morning commute is expected to be heavily impacted.
The combination of heavy, wind-driven snow may lead to tree damage and sporadic power outages, especially in forested areas and along the Door Peninsula. Emergency officials urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel, prepare winter survival kits, and charge mobile devices ahead of the storm. If stranded, stay with your vehicle and call 511 for the latest road conditions.
