Milwaukee, much of Wisconsin under winter weather advisory as first snow falls this morning

The Milwaukee area and much of eastern Wisconsin is experiencing its first snowfall of the season as heavy, wet snow fell during the Thursday morning commute.

Two to four inches of snow is possible in some areas, especially those farther from Lake Michigan.

Many areas of the state are during a winter weather advisory through the late morning due to hazardous driving conditions. The advice is valid from 6 a.m. to noon from Sheboygan through Kenosha counties, including Milwaukee County, and as far west as Iowa and Lafayette counties.

“There’s an area of ​​intense snowfall, and it’s winding down the eastern half of the state,” Milwaukee-Sullivan National Weather Service meteorologist Marcia Cronce said. She said the snowfall will be heaviest in the Milwaukee area between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m

“Then it continues to snow for another hour or two and then it changes to rain,” she continued.

The weather service warns that roads, especially bridges and overpasses, will be “slippery and dangerous” during the snowfall due to slush accumulations. The agency advises people to watch their first few steps on outdoor stairs, sidewalks and driveways Thursday morning, as “these surfaces may be icy and slippery, increasing the risk of falls and injury.”

Additionally strong winds with gusts up to 45 mph is in the forecast across the region through the evening in some areas, causing reduced visibility for motorists, sideways falling snow and possible downed branches. Winds will begin in a westerly direction in the morning and are expected to shift to the northwest and then north in the afternoon, Cronce said.

When it comes to the Thursday morning commute, “allow extra time to get to your destination,” Crone said. “Don’t follow too closely to other cars. Slow down and delay your journey if you can.”

When and how much will it snow in Milwaukee and Wisconsin?

Snow is in the forecast for the Milwaukee area from 6 a.m. to noon, with the heaviest snowfall expected between 7.00 and 8.00. Areas further south will see the heaviest snow between 8.00 and 9.00.

The snow changes to rain during the afternoon. Heavier precipitation is expected to taper off by 3 p.m., with showers lasting through the evening, Cronce said. Accumulated snow should melt in the afternoon rain.

“So the morning commute is very dangerous, and then the evening commute should be fine,” Cronce said.

Communities right along Lake Michigan are expected to see lower snow totals, she added. “Inland from the lake, you might see two to three inches. And then, the Kettle Moraine area, like Washington and Waukesha counties, you could see two to four inches, even five locally.”

Heavy equipment is used to clear the parking lot at Waukesha County Technical College in Pewaukee Friday morning, March 22, 2024, after a spring storm delivered three to seven inches of snow over the area.

Heavy equipment is used to clear the parking lot at Waukesha County Technical College in Pewaukee Friday morning, March 22, 2024, after a spring storm delivered three to seven inches of snow over the area.

First update of snow conditions

The city of Milwaukee said its crews are in a “general ice control operation” ensuring roads are “safe and passable” as snow continues in the area.

Several roads, including interstates and highways, in the Milwaukee area and eastern Wisconsin have been reported as “slick” or “snowy” Thursday morning. In addition, dozens of accidents and disabled vehicles have been reported, leaving some roads and ramps closed.

For the most up-to-date map of road and ramp closures, traffic, accidents and disabled vehicles, visit 511wi.gov.

Wisconsin Weather Warnings

Wisconsin Weather Radar

This article originally appeared on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wet, heavy snow brings Winter Weather Advisory in Milwaukee and Wisconsin