Winter Storm Warning Issued for Douglas and Bayfield Counties Through Thursday
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Northwest Wisconsin, with up to 8 inches of snow, ice accumulations, and 40 mph wind gusts expected through Thursday morning.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Duluth has issued a Winter Storm Warning for portions of Northwest Wisconsin. The warning is effective from 6:00 PM CST Tuesday, February 17, until 12:00 PM CST Thursday, February 19.
Affected Areas
The alert covers the following geographic regions:
- Douglas County
- Bayfield County
This warning area includes the Tribal Lands of the Red Cliff Band and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
Expected Conditions
Heavy snow and light ice accumulations are forecast for the region. Specific conditions include:
- Snow Accumulations: 5 to 8 inches are expected for northern Douglas and Bayfield Counties. Elsewhere in the counties, accumulations between 2 and 4 inches are anticipated.
- Ice Accumulations: Around one-tenth of an inch of ice is expected.
- Wind Speeds: Gusts could reach as high as 40 mph.
Timeline
- Tuesday Evening and Overnight: Light ice accumulations on surfaces are most likely during this window.
- Late Tuesday Night through Wednesday Midday: The heaviest snowfall is expected in the far northern parts of the counties.
- Commute Impacts: Hazardous conditions are expected to impact both the Wednesday morning and Wednesday evening commutes.
What You Should Do
Travel could be very difficult due to the combination of snow and ice. If you must travel, the National Weather Service recommends keeping an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. For updated Wisconsin road information, residents can call 511 or visit www.511wi.gov.
Source: NOAA Official Notice