Sheboygan County is among those in southeastern Wisconsin now positioned to enter a Winter Storm Warning at noon on Wednesday, remaining in effect until 3 a.m. Thursday. Total snowfall accumulation projections from 6-9 inches prompted the warning, while additional attention is brought to lakeshore communities.
While light lake effect snow may break out at times as early as 6 a.m., the start of the “main event” will likely wait until 9 a.m., generated as a surface low deepening across the Lower Mississippi Valley lifts northeastward.
NWS Graphic
Snowfall is expected to cover southern Wisconsin, with the heaviest rates of around 3/4 inches per hour of light, fluffy snow concentrated along the lakeshore and Kettle Moraine by midday. Lakeshore communities could see rates as high as an inch per hour at times. Presently, conditions favor accumulations anywhere from 4-8 inches depending upon location. The National Weather Service delineated the area with a 30-60% potential for more than 6” as along and east of a line from Elkhart Lake to Jefferson to Darlington. Elsewhere 2-6” totals are likely.
Averages compiled from National Weather Service Graphic Hourly Forecast Data as of 3:30 p.m. Tuesday showed these projected totals:
4.2” Sheboygan Marsh
5” Greenbush
5” Boltonville
5.4” Plymouth
6.3” Random Lake
6.5” Howards Grove
6.7” Cleveland
7.2” Sheboygan
7.3” Cedar Grove
8.2” Oostburg
Any lake effect enhancement could push totals higher, but mostly to our south.
As for timing, very light snow may begin by midnight and continue until around 9 a.m. when the growing storm begins its push. The heaviest snowfall rates are indicated from Port Washington southward, but moderate snow is likely to be maintained here between 9 a.m. and midnight Wednesday with any lingering snow ending by daybreak.
A reprieve follows on Thursday, while attention then focuses on Friday afternoon through midday Saturday, when another half-foot or so could accumulate. Temperatures should remain cold enough for the two events to add up to a substantial snow cover by the weekend.
NWS Graphic
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