Posted on 03/21/2008 12:09:50 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
Snow plows, sanders and salters hit the highways and streets before dawn today as a major winter storm descended on southern Wisconsin.
Some areas are expected to get up to 15 inches of heavy snow before the storm ends later tonight, according to the National Weather Service.
The morning commute won't be too difficult, since the big flakes are, for the most part, melting on the warmer pavement, but as the snow starts to come down heavier, expect roads to get snow covered and slippery.
County salters, sanders and plows are hitting county roads and major highways, while city crews are starting to tackle the 30 major arterial 'salt' routes in Madison.
There's less traffic because of spring break and Good Friday, but motorists are urged to use caution when heading out today.
The Wisconsin State Patrol road condition map shows major highways in southern, southwestern and western Wisconsin to be snow covered and slippery or having slick stretches.
The winter storm warning issued by the National Weather Service is in effect until 7 p.m. The bulk of the snow is expected to arrive in early afternoon.
Brisk east winds will blow the snow which could make for hazardous driving conditions.
The heaviest snow accumulation of 8-15 inches is expected south of a line from Wisconsin Dells to Port Washington.
To add to the winter wonderland, throw in the possibility of a thunderstorm or two.
Weather Central meteorologist Brian Olson said he expects Madison to get between 6-8 inches of snow, but a narrow band of 8-11 inches could fall just south and southwest of Madison. The biggest totals up to 15 inches will be closer to the Illinois border.
Temperatures are expected to stay around freezing today and warm up to 35 Saturday and Sunday, so the snow cover should start to melt pretty quickly.
"Even if we get up to 12 inches, we won't see as much of it as if it fell in January," said Madison streets superintendent Al Schumacher. "The pavement is pretty warm so we'll get some melting."
Schumacher does not anticipate declaring a snow emergency during this storm.
"The alternate side parking rule expired on March 15, we aren't expecting this snow to last too long, and the street widths are back to normal," he said.
County highway maintenance superintendent Steve Haag said crews are ready this morning.
"Our major concern will be blowing snow," Haag said in a radio interview this morning.
Once we get past this late (hopefully last) winter storm, the weekend will be cool but calm and temperatures will start to climb once again into the upper 30s and low 40s next week.
I've got a Snow Day today; we closed the Garden Center at noon.
It’s just about done snowing in the south metro (twin cities).
We got 8-9 in this round......
Snow in Chicago! Happy Spring, and is that an Easter bonnet under that parka?
“...and is that an Easter bonnet under that parka?”
LOL!
I remember quite a few Easters where Sis & I would have BEAUTIFUL dresses and hats, gloves and purses...then Mom would have to bundle us up in our Parkas between home and church.
Kinda ruined the festive look we were all going for!
I blame global warming.
Perhaps, but if not for global warming, it would be incredibly cold and snowy today.
By the way, if we get the 14" of predicted snow here in Milwaukee, it will put this winter in 2nd place in the snowiest winter category.
I am so pleased to read about this from my 70’s here in Tennessee. In fact, this is why we live here instead of Chicago!!!
Bundle up!
As a kid, there was nothing more disappointing than a weekend snow storm. All the roads would be cleared by Monday morning! The worst was once we had a two foot snow storm..... right in the middle of Spring Break!
I’m planning to retire to TN. :)
Yep. A lot of our schools were closed today for Good Friday/Spring Break anyway. That was one saving grace.
And it’s Basketball Tourney Time, so we ALWAYS have some sort of weather disaster while that’s going on.
Go, Badgers!
Down here on the bayou, I'm nursing a sunburn from fishing all of yesterday and today I rode my bike to the feed store for seeds and worked in the garden all afternoon. Wish you were here!
Smart lady!
Wish I was, too!
But...Spring will come. It always has. Digging out isn’t as bad as they predicted. I think they made this one sound a bit worse than it was because of the pile-up/parking lot the Interstate became during our last big storm in February.
The State Troopers, weather people, and local Government were in ‘CYA’ Mode, as it were. ;)
From the article:
Milwaukee isn't likely to break its record of 109.8 inches that fell about 120 years ago. But with 11.5 inches on Friday, this winter's snowfall totaled 96.0 inches, making it the second-snowiest winter on record.
How about that global warming!
Milwaukee got nailed.
Wisconsinites know better than to pack away their winter garb before June ; )
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