13 FIRST ALERT: Impactful snow could make for slick travel on morning and evening commutes Thursday

While this is not the first snow we’ve received around Western Wisconsin this season, it is expected to be the first one with widespread impacts. That being said, make sure to stay up to date with the latest forecast and be sure to plan accordingly, provided there is any fine-tuning to the forecast over the next few hours. Throughout the day on Wednesday, a large clipper-system is taking shape to our northwest and will be moving to the southeast. This has prompted a 13 FIRST ALERT WEATHER DAY to be declared for Thursday. What we do know at this point is that the low will track through the area, putting us in the cold sector and leading to an all-snow event.

The timing of the system moving through is important, because this will be a prolonged snow event that will start early in the morning. Northwestern portions of the viewing area are likely to see the snow begin well before daybreak, but the general consensus for the majority of the viewing area is that the snow will start around 6am. That said, the morning commute will likely become slick very quickly, as the snow is forecast to be the heaviest around the mid to late morning hours. This could also lead to visibility issues in the bands of heavier snow, so be sure to plan your commute/travel plans accordingly.

By the latter half of Thursday afternoon, the snow will begin to lighten up as the low continues to push out of the area. With a tightening pressure gradient behind the low, as high pressure moves into the area, winds will take on more of a northerly flow and lead to frigid wind chills nearing the zero degree mark later Thursday evening and into Friday morning. By the time the snow is all said and done later in the day on Thursday, most areas will see around 3-5″ of snow. However, given the possibility of heavier bands of snow developing, a swath of 4-7″ is not being ruled out. Given discrepancies in where the heaviest bands will set up, be advised that the forecast totals are subject to change, particularly the 4-7″ range.

As always, be prepared for impacts to your commute both in the morning and evening. Be sure to bring a blanket or an extra layer in your vehicle in the event of a slide off, or any other emergency. Give yourself some extra time and be sure to stay up to date with the latest forecast either on-air, online, or on our 13 First Alert Weather app!

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