Madison, Wisconsin – Roads across southern Wisconsin could turn snow-covered before sunrise Friday, setting up a slick and slow morning commute for thousands of drivers.
According to the National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect from 3 a.m. to noon Friday for Columbia, Dane, Green, Green Lake and Marquette counties. Snowfall totals will range from 2 to 6 inches, with the heaviest amounts expected in the northwest portions of the advisory area. Wind gusts between 30 and 40 mph will blow and drift snow, reducing visibility and creating uneven accumulations on roadways.
Statewide, the system will sweep across southern and south-central Wisconsin during the early morning hours, intensifying just as traffic builds. In Dane County, including Madison, snow is expected to fall steadily through midmorning. Columbia County communities such as Portage and Columbus could see higher-end totals, while Green and Green Lake counties, including Monroe and Berlin, may contend with both fresh snowfall and blowing snow on rural highways.
Drivers along U.S. 151, Interstate 39/90/94, and Highway 51 should anticipate reduced visibility at times, especially on open stretches where gusty winds can push snow across lanes. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation urges motorists to slow down and check 511 for updated road conditions before heading out.
Conditions should gradually improve after noon Friday as snowfall tapers, but slick spots may linger into the afternoon. Additional advisories could be issued if bands of heavier snow develop overnight.
