Ashland, WI – A powerful winter storm continues to hammer northern Wisconsin tonight, with blizzard warnings now extended through early Thursday morning for several counties. The National Weather Service in Duluth reports that Ashland, Iron, Bayfield, and Douglas counties are facing dangerous travel conditions as snow intensifies overnight.
According to the National Weather Service, total snow accumulations could reach between 8 and 14 inches in Bayfield and Douglas counties, with localized areas of up to 16 inches near northern Bayfield County. Further east, Ashland and Iron counties could see staggering totals of 17 to 29 inches, driven by lake-effect snow and winds gusting up to 45 mph.
The heaviest snowfall and strongest winds are expected to impact communities including Superior, Washburn, Bayfield, Ashland, and Hurley, as well as the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and tribal lands of the Bad River Reservation and Red Cliff Band.
Forecasters warn that visibility may drop to near zero at times, making travel “very difficult to impossible.” The hazardous conditions are likely to affect both the Wednesday morning and evening commutes, and residents are urged to avoid unnecessary travel.
Officials advise anyone who must drive to carry a winter survival kit and to remain with their vehicle if stranded. Up-to-date Wisconsin road conditions can be found at 511wi.gov.
