Rhinelander, WI – Ice-coated roads and falling tree limbs are creating immediate travel hazards across northern Wisconsin, with conditions expected to worsen through 1 a.m. Friday as freezing rain continues to accumulate.
According to the National Weather Service in Green Bay, an Ice Storm Warning remains in effect for Oneida and Forest counties until 1 a.m. Friday, with ice buildup between 0.10 and 0.30 inches and wind gusts reaching 35 mph. In Lincoln and Langlade counties, icing continues through 4 p.m. Thursday before a brief lull. A second round of icing is expected to redevelop Friday evening, prompting a Winter Storm Watch through Saturday morning.
Rhinelander, Crandon, Merrill, and Antigo are seeing the most immediate impacts, including slick untreated roads and reduced visibility. Bridges and overpasses along Highway 8 and U.S. 51 are especially vulnerable to rapid icing. Emergency managers warn that tree damage and scattered power outages are likely as ice accumulates on branches and power lines.
Drivers are urged to avoid non-essential travel through the evening commute and overnight hours. If travel is unavoidable, keep emergency supplies in your vehicle and monitor Wisconsin 511 for real-time road conditions.
Another round of icing could begin as early as Friday evening, extending hazardous conditions into Saturday morning. Additional advisories may be issued as the next system develops.
