Wisconsin Winter Storm Update: Here's When The Heavy Snow Hits

MILWAUKEE, WI — Are you ready for the snow? According to the National Weather Service, a winter storm will cause several inches of heavy snowfall to move into southern Wisconsin tonight, primarily impacting areas along and just north of the state line. Up to 3 inches are possible prior to midnight, with the heaviest amounts toward southwest Wisconsin.

Snow will pick up in intensity after midnight. Snowfall rates up to 1 inch per hour are possible between midnight and 6 a.m. on Friday. Snow will then gradually taper off through the day on Friday. Total snowfall amounts from this evening and tomorrow combined range from nearly 8 inches along the state line to around 2 inches toward central Wisconsin.

Fast Facts:

• Heavy snow expected. Plan on difficult travel conditions, including during the morning commute on Friday. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 8 inches are expected.
• Waukesha, Milwaukee, Walworth, Racine and Kenosha County.
• 9 p.m. today to 6 p.m. Friday.
• Be prepared for significant reductions in visibility at times.

According to the National Weather Service, the current forecast shows a sharp gradient in snowfall totals from 1 to 3 inches toward central Wisconsin to 5 to 8 inches over far southern Wisconsin including the Milwaukee metro area. Given the sharp gradient, small changes in the storm track would result in drastically different snowfall amounts for a given location.

Weather officials say this uncertainty shows up well by comparing the low-end amount and high-end amount images shown below. Think of these images as the goalposts of this event. Along the state line, the goal posts range from 4 inches to 10 inches; that's quite a range and reflects an uncertain forecast. Even with that uncertainty, we're confident that there will be a band of heavy snow, it's just tough to nail down exactly where at this point.

Snow Emergency Parking

In the City of Milwaukee, a "Snow Emergency" is declared to exist whenever snow falls during any period of 24 hours or less to a depth which is determined and declared by the Commissioner of Public Works to constitute a serious public hazard impairing transportation, the movement of food and fuel supplies, medical care, fire, health, and police protection, and other vital facilities of the City.

An emergency is declared to continue for a period of 72 hours or until such earlier times as snow plowing operations have been declared completed by the Commissioner of Public Works.

In case of a "Snow Emergency" prior to December 1 or after March 1, no overnight parking is allowed on through highways and mass transit (bus) routes. These streets are not posted. For a list of these streets please go to the Winter Parking Regulations page. Vehicles must be moved to a side street and must be legally parked in conformity with all other regulations on the proper side of the street.

In case of a "Snow Emergency" residents must move their vehicles, between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., to the even-numbered side of the street on even numbered days, and to the odd-numbered side of the street on odd-numbered days, unless otherwise posted.

The alternate side requirement will remain in place until the Snow Emergency has ended.

Milwaukee Public Schools makes some of its playgrounds and parking lots available for overnight parking during declared snow emergencies and clean-up periods. Take a look at Snow Emergency, Off-Street Parking on School Playgrounds List. Call the City Call Center at (414) 286-2489 during regular business hours for the location of a playground nearest your home.

"Temporary No Parking Tow Away" signs may be posted by the City to assist in clean-up after major snowfalls. Vehicles parked in violation of "Snow Route Tow-Away Zone" and "Temporary No Parking Tow Away" signs or obstructing traffic during a "Snow Emergency" will be towed away at owner's expense. There are no exceptions.

Overnight Parking
No overnight parking is allowed on highways and mass transit (bus) routes from December 1 to March 1. For a list of these streets please go to the Winter Parking Regulationspage. In case of a "Snow Emergency" prior to December 1 or after March 1, vehicles must be moved to a side street and must be legally parked in conformity with all other regulations on the proper side of the street.

Specific-Side Parking
Certain residential streets are restricted to parking on a specific side of the street during the winter months. These streets are posted with signs reading "No Parking" on one side of the street, either for the entire December 1 to March 1 period, or with a monthly alternation of the prohibited side. To determine whether this regulation applies to a specific street go to Street Parking Regulations.

48-Hour Exception Streets
48 hour exception area streets where alternate side night parking is required from December 1 to March 1. For a list of these streets please go to the Winter Parking Regulationspage. Overnight parking is allowed on both sides of the street for up to 48 hours except December 1 to March 1.
Image Via Patch.com

Image Via NOAA Sullivan