Winter Storm Warning: Major Blizzard Targeting Milwaukee and the Midwest — 5 to 25 Inches of Snow This Weekend
A major winter storm is bearing down on the Upper Midwest this weekend, and forecasters are calling it explosive. Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect from the Rocky Mountains through Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and into the Northeast. Milwaukee is bracing for the worst of it Sunday night into Monday — with blizzard conditions, 60 mph wind gusts, and potentially 25 inches of snow north of the city.
Milwaukee Weather Today: High Winds, Light Snow, High Wind Warning
Milwaukee is currently experiencing light snow showers with a temperature of 36.3°F. Today's high reaches only 39°F with wind gusts climbing to 60 mph through mid-afternoon.
Friday's forecast for Milwaukee: Very windy, chance of rain and snow, mostly cloudy. High of 41°F. West winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. Tonight brings increasing clouds and blustery conditions with lows around 28°F.
The National Weather Service in Milwaukee issued a significant threat alert for Milwaukee County, Waukesha, Washington, Sheboygan, Racine, Dodge, Ozaukee, Kenosha, Walworth, Jefferson, and Fond du Lac counties. The alert expires 4:00 PM CT Friday.
Milwaukee 5-Day Forecast
| Day | High (°F) | Conditions | Precip Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday Mar 13 | 39 | Light snow / High Winds | 20% snow |
| Saturday Mar 14 | 36 | Wintry mix begins | 20% snow |
| Sunday Mar 15 | 40 | Rain turns to heavy snow | 75% |
| Monday Mar 16 | 22 | Blizzard / Heavy snow | 45% snow |
| Tuesday Mar 17 | 24 | Lingering snow | 10% snow |
The Big Weekend Storm: When It Hits Milwaukee
Most of southern Wisconsin's snowfall is expected to fall during the evening of Sunday, March 15. The transition from Saturday's mix to the tail end of Sunday could bring anywhere from 5 to 8 inches of snow for Milwaukee. Cities like La Crosse, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, and anything north of that line are forecast for 12 to 14 inches of snow starting Saturday night.
There is potential for cities along the Green Bay corridor and above to see 18 or more inches of snowfall through the weekend. An updated forecast Friday afternoon should bring refined totals for southern Wisconsin.
AccuWeather is forecasting a snowstorm from Saturday evening into Monday afternoon with blizzard conditions Sunday night and accumulations of 6 to 10 inches for Milwaukee — with higher totals possible depending on the storm track.
A band of rain, snow, sleet, and freezing rain will mark the freezing line, expected to hover near and just north of Milwaukee. Gusty winds may also create blizzard conditions. Snow showers will gradually taper off by Monday afternoon. Travel across southeast Wisconsin will be worst from late Sunday into Monday.
Winter Storm Warnings: Rocky Mountains to the Northeast
Winter Storm Warnings have been issued from the Rocky Mountains to the Upper Midwest and parts of the Northeast, with heavy snow, strong winds, and mixed precipitation forecast through March 14. Warnings cover much of Montana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and Maine, with more than 3 feet of snow forecast in some areas of Montana.
In Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the Winter Storm Warning covers Alger, Delta, Luce, Northern Schoolcraft, and Southern Schoolcraft counties through 8:00 PM ET Friday, with 5 to 11 inches of snow forecast and gusts up to 40 mph producing widespread blowing snow and reduced visibility. In northern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, warnings include Koochiching, North Itasca, Carlton, and St. Louis counties.
What to Do Before the Winter Storm Arrives
Residents across Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, and the Upper Midwest should prepare now before conditions deteriorate Sunday evening. Charge devices, stock emergency supplies, avoid unnecessary travel Sunday night and Monday, and monitor the National Weather Service Milwaukee office and local broadcast alerts for updated snowfall totals as the storm track firms up throughout Friday afternoon.
