Green Bay, WI – Holiday travelers across Wisconsin could face hazardous road conditions beginning Tuesday night as a strong winter storm moves across the state, bringing heavy snow and powerful winds through Thursday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Green Bay, rain will begin late Monday and transition to snow Tuesday night as colder air filters in. The heaviest snowfall is expected Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening, particularly across north-central Wisconsin, where a Winter Storm Watch has been issued for Vilas County.
Forecast models show a greater than 50% chance of at least 4 inches of snow north of Wausau, with more than 6 inches possible in Vilas, Oneida, and Forest counties. Northwest wind gusts of 30 to 40+ mph are expected Wednesday and Thursday, likely producing areas of blowing and drifting snow and significantly reduced visibility.
NWS forecasters warn that travel during the storm could become dangerous, especially on Highway 51, Highway 8, and U.S. 45 through the northwoods region. Conditions are expected to improve late Thursday as lake-effect snow diminishes, but another system could bring rain or mixed precipitation this weekend.
Drivers are urged to check road conditions and delay unnecessary travel during the peak of the storm.
