The first heavy snowfall of December is expected in southeastern Wisconsin this week

In December, southeastern Wisconsin prepares for its first significant snowfall, with forecasts indicating significant snowfall.

Updated: December 18, 2024, 1:35 a.m. CST

SUPERINTENDENT FOR MNPS. Turning now to WeatherWatch 12, there is a light layer of snow this evening and an even larger snowfall is expected Thursday evening. YES, WE WILL SEE A STRONGER AREA OF LOW PRESSURE IN WISCONSIN NOW ON THURSDAY. This evening we had to get through first and it is a very small system, but some areas could experience slippery patches in the morning hours, particularly on roads and sidewalks that have not been pre-treated ahead of this light snowfall. AND THEN THIS WILL BE THE GREATER OF THE BOTH ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, WITHOUT A DOUBT AS WE STAND INTO THURSDAY MORNING THEY COULD EVEN BE INTO FRIDAY. So it is a long-term event. HERE IS THE RADAR NOW. Low pressure area far to the south. WE HAVE THIS SNOWFALL RIBBON. THIS GOES FROM IOWA THROUGH SOUTHERN WISCONSIN AND NORTHERN ILLINOIS. THIN BAND OF SNOW. AND IT IS VERY HARD TO GET TO THE SURFACE NEAR THE GROUND BECAUSE THERE IS ONLY A LOT OF DRY AIR. JANESVILLE AT THE AIRPORT REPORTED VISIBILITY FOR A FEW MILES, ABOUT 5 MILES. So it’s just an indication that it’s a very light snowfall. The best chance to see some of the snow this evening is along and south of Interstate 94. North of there maybe just a few bursts of wind. And as we head out around 2:00 a.m., I think FUTURECAST REALLY IS NOT SHOWING MUCH ACTIVITY. So that’s definitely good news. Since you wake up early tomorrow, you might even get lucky and not even have to brush the cars if you leave them outside during the night. And when we head into the afternoon, there are no problems. ANYWHERE THE AIR COULD BE SATURATED AND PULLING SNOW TO THE GROUND COULD HOLD DUST MORE THAN ONE INCH. For this reason, there probably won’t be much to see in many areas this evening. DRY AIR IS A REAL WIN AT THE MOMENT. 33. WE HAVE IMPACT DAY DUE TO SOME LOCALIZED slippery spots during the morning rush. And then as we go into our Thursday, another impact day, that’s our next weather system as we watch here, into our Thursday morning, into our Friday morning. AND WE HAVE A MEDIUM AND HIGH CHANCE OF SEEING THE SNOW ARRIVE IN OUR AREA. Now, where is the system? It’s far to the west. The fact is that I am just arriving via the northwest of the Pacific Ocean. BUT AS IT JOINS THE JET STREAM, IT WILL IMMEDIATELY TAKE OFF THE EXPRESS TRACK TOWARD THE UPPER MIDWEST. AS WE ASCEND INTO OUR THURSDAY. HERE’S WHAT FUTURECAST WILL SHOW AT 10 AM THURSDAY MORNING AND YOU CAN SEE A FIRST TAPE OF SNOWFALL. How it gets in here. NOW THERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT WHERE EXACTLY THE STORM’S COIL IS COMING. AND IF IT’S A LITTLE FURTHER NORTH, WE WILL GET SOME DRY AIR THAT MAKES INTO THE STORM AND CUT THE SNOW FOR A TIME. And that in turn means lower snowfall numbers. And as this low pressure then spreads across southeastern Wisconsin, it pulls a second plume of snow over it. WHEN IT GOES A LITTLE FURTHER SOUTH, WE DON’T SEE MUCH OF THE DRY AIR. AND THEN THE SNOW IS MORE CONSTANT OVER THE ENTIRE DURATION. That’s one of the key questions we’re waiting for here with the system. AND THEN ON FRIDAY WE ACTUALLY GOT SOME LAKE EFFECT SNOW ON THE BACK. So now that everything is said and done, this is our first look at the forecast. Approximately 1 to 2 inches south of I-94, 2 to 4 inches north. SOME QUESTIONS REMAIN ABOUT THE PATH OF THE STORM. So stay tuned with Weatherwatch 12. We’ll keep you posted with more clues for 32. There will be a high temperature on Thursday, 31 on Friday with some persistent snow showers. AND THEN THE OFFICIAL START OF THE WINTER SEASON. Astronomical winter begins on Saturday, and Tuesday is Christmas Eve. There may be a chance of a little rain or snow showers with highs around 40°C. So Lindsey will post some updates tomorrow morning. TUNE IN AT 4:30pm FOR SOME OF THE LATEST. YES, MAKE SURE YOU TAKE IT

The first heavy snowfall of December is expected in southeastern Wisconsin this week

In December, southeastern Wisconsin prepares for its first significant snowfall, with forecasts indicating significant snowfall.

Updated: December 18, 2024, 1:35 a.m. CST

Southeast Wisconsin is bracing for December’s first major snowfall, just days before the official start of winter on December 21st. Round one: storms and light snowfall. Expect light snow to begin late Tuesday evening and continue into very early Wednesday morning. Initially, there is a lot of dry air above the ground, which can result in less snow actually reaching the ground. Most areas along and south of I-94 may see very little, if any, accumulation – likely dusting at best. Still, be careful on your morning commute on the road. A light blanket of snow can still create slippery patches.Round two: Light to moderate snowA more organized winter system, dubbed the “Alberta Clipper,” is expected to move into the region late Thursday into Friday, bringing heavier snowfall than earlier Weekday event. While the exact route isn’t yet being debated in the forecast models, a crucial factor will be where the low pressure center moves, as even a slight shift north or south could affect who sees the heaviest snow. Current forecasts indicate that northern counties such as Fond du Lac and Sheboygan could see an accumulation of about 5 to 10 cm, while areas further south and along the lakeshore could see an accumulation of about 2 to 5 cm. Lakeshore counties may experience slightly wetter and denser snow thanks to onshore winds, and total amounts there could be moderated somewhat by this effect. As the system moves away, lake effect snow bands could briefly impact coastal communities, but these are expected to weaken as temperatures begin to ease later on Friday.Weekend ForecastThe weekend looks dry but cold. The maximum temperatures remain rather cool, although a lot of sunshine is at least visually helpful, even if it doesn’t provide much warmth with temperatures around 30 degrees in the afternoon. Enjoy a quiet weekend, but stay tuned as winter weather can be full of surprises.

MILWAUKEE-

Southeast Wisconsin is bracing for December’s first major snowfall, just days before the official start of winter on December 21st.

Round one: storms and light snow

Light snow is expected to begin late Tuesday evening and continue into early Wednesday morning. Initially, there is a lot of dry air above the ground, which can result in less snow actually reaching the ground.

Most areas along and south of I-94 may see very little, if any, accumulation – likely dusting at best. Still, be careful on your morning commute on the road. A light layer of snow can still lead to slippery areas.

Round two: Light to moderate snow

A more organized winter system, dubbed the “Alberta Clipper,” is expected to move into the region late Thursday into Friday, bringing heavier snowfall than the earlier midweek event.

WISN

While the exact route isn’t yet being debated in the forecast models, a crucial factor will be where the low pressure center moves, as even a slight shift north or south could affect who sees the heaviest snow.

Current forecasts indicate that northern counties such as Fond du Lac and Sheboygan could see an accumulation of about 5 to 10 cm, while areas further south and along the lakeshore could see an accumulation of about 2 to 5 cm.

Lakeshore counties may experience slightly wetter and denser snow thanks to onshore winds, and total amounts there could be moderated somewhat by this effect. As the system moves away, bands of lake-effect snow could briefly impact coastal communities, but these are expected to weaken as temperatures begin to ease later Friday.

Weekend forecast

The weekend looks dry but cold. The maximum temperatures remain rather cool, although a lot of sunshine is at least visually helpful, even if it doesn’t provide much warmth with temperatures around 30 degrees in the afternoon. Enjoy a quiet weekend, but stay tuned as winter weather can be full of surprises.