Days After Warm Spring Weather, Snow Returns To Wisconsin

After several days of warm spring weather, snow, sleet and cold rain are moving back through Wisconsin.

Northern parts of the state could see up to a foot of accumulation between Wednesday evening and Friday morning, with the heaviest snow falling during the day Thursday.

Meteorologist Justin Schultz of the National Weather Service in Duluth said at its peak, the storm could bring a half inch to an inch of snow an hour to the region, approaching but not reaching blizzard conditions.

He also said wind gusts could lead to blowing or drifting snow, especially from the very high winds coming off Lake Superior.

“These northeast winds will be persistent pretty much tonight through the day Thursday,” Schultz said. “We could see wind gusts in excess of 45, 50, maybe even closer to 55 or even 60 miles per hour.”

Schultz said the Twin Ports area could see waves of 15 feet or more crashing on the lakeshore.

Central Wisconsin is more likely to see 4 to 6 inches of snow, with 1 to 3 inches further south.

Dan Jones of National Weather Service in La Crosse said that’s due to warmer air moving into the southwest.

“That will be pretty much all rain as far as precipitation type goes there,” Jones said. “So they’re going to have lesser snowfall amounts.”

The storm may linger into Thursday night or Friday morning, before giving way to dry, warmer conditions.