, , , ,

Weather Service: Many Wisconsin Roads ‘Completely Covered’ With Ice

State Advises Against Driving In Much Of Northern, Central Wisconsin

By
icy roads
A car slowly makes it’s way down an icy street in Matthews, N.C., Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2011. Chuck Burton/AP Photo

Icy roads remain a problem across much of Wisconsin following Monday morning’s mixed precipitation.

The state Department of Transportation said drivers should not drive through much of northern and central Wisconsin because of persistent ice on roadways.

Jeff Last, warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Green Bay, said ice has developed even in parts of the state where temperatures were above freezing.

Stay informed on the latest news

Sign up for WPR’s email newsletter.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

“Because of that cold, arctic blast we had last week, the road temperatures remained at or below freezing for many locations,” Last said. “So when the rain hit the roads, some ice formed and it was quite hazardous.”

The DOT said ice can be especially problematic on lower-traffic roads, as well as ramps and bridges.

Drivers in southern areas could also encounter slippery stretches.

The wet weather has been tapering off in many areas, but forecasters expect temperatures below freezing across the state Monday night into Tuesday morning.

Last said the forecast over the next few days isn’t likely to make driving much easier.

“We’re looking at a couple other weather systems,” he said Monday. “Perhaps some more snow tomorrow evening into Wednesday, and maybe some more on the weekend.”