First alarm weather day for Thursday due to the highest snowfall of the season for most

On December 18, 2024By Littum

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) – Wednesday will be relatively calm compared to what we have on Thursday.

Some of us will get more snow on Thursday than the entire season so far. Thursday afternoon and evening is when the impacts will be greatest.

A few snow showers are still possible early and a few slick patches will be possible. However, no major impacts are expected. Skies will remain mostly cloudy throughout the day with highs in the mid to upper 20s.

Mid 20s and partly to mostly cloudy Wednesday.(WSAW)

Thursday has been the day we’ve been talking about all week and a First Alert Weather Day is now in place due to snowfall potential. The communities south of Highway 64 are sure to get the heaviest snowfall of the season. Some gusty winds will allow snow to blow around as well, and snowfall will be heavy enough at times that it will accumulate on the roads. Snowfall totals could reach as high as 4-6″ in some communities, with a few communities collecting even higher totals. The heaviest snowfall will occur from around 11.00-17.00. The snowfall should be over by the time you drive to work Friday morning.

First Alert Weather Day is now active tomorrow due to snow.(WSAW)

Tomorrow around 12.00-20.00 we will have our biggest impact and most widespread snow.(WSAW)

As much as 4-6" snow will be possible for most of our area. — As much as 4-6″ of snow will be possible for most of our area.(WSAW)

Road conditions should improve at the end of the week and into this weekend, but it will also be cold outside. Highs will peak in the upper teens and low 20s with lows in the single digits each Saturday and Sunday morning.

The weekend forecast will be less cloudy. Travel is not expected to be a problem.(WSAW)

After a chilly weekend, temperatures will be mild again in the run up to Christmas. — After a cool weekend, temperatures will be mild again in the run up to Christmas.(WSAW)

Temperatures are expected to be well above average by the time we reach Christmas.(WSAW)

By the middle of next week, mild air will return to north-central Wisconsin, meaning the odds of us getting a white Christmas will be pretty low, even with the snowfall expected this weekend. It won’t be as warm as the 50s we got for Christmas last year, but some of us could get into the upper 30s or low 40s by Christmas Eve and Christmas Day next week.