Protect yourself and your family before the first winter storm strikes.
What Makes a Winter Storm?
Cold air: Below freezing temperatures in the clouds and near the ground are necessary to make snow and ice. Moisture: Needed to form clouds and precipitation. Lift: Something to raise the moist air to form clouds and precipitation, such as a front. |
Where Do Winter Storms Develop? "Alberta Clippers," which develop in the lee of the Canadian Rockies and move southeast toward Wisconsin, not only bring accumulating snow, but also strong winds and extremely cold air to the state. "Lake effect" snowstorms develop as cold air moves across the relatively warmer waters of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. Moisture from the lakes is then deposited as heavy snow within several miles of the shore.
Storms that affect Wisconsin develop over southeast Colorado, northwest Canada, and over the southern Plains. These storms move toward the Midwest and use both the southward plunge of cold air from Canada and the northward flow of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico to produce heavy snow over the region.
Winter Storms in Wisconsin
Date
Location
Character
Remarks
1
Mar 2-4, 1881
South & Central
Blizzard
2 - 4 ft snow, 20 ft drifts
2
Jan 15, 1887
South & Central
Snowstorm
2 ft snow, huge drifts
3
Dec 27-28, 1904
South & Central
Heavy snow/ice
26" Neillsville - 24 hr state record
4
Feb 3-6, 1924
South
Blizzard
20.3" at Milwaukee, 10 ft drifts
5
Nov 11-12, 1940
Statewide
Blizzard
12 deaths, severe drifting
6
Nov 6-8, 1943
Statewide
Heavy snow/ice
10" - 18", roads blocked for days
7
Jan 28-30, 1947
South & Central
Blizzard
10"-27" , 15 ft drifts
8
Oct 31 - Nov 2, 1991
NW & WC
Snowstorm
20"-35" snow, huge drifts
9
Jan 2-3, 1999
South & Central
Blizzard
10-21" snow, 50-60 mph wind gusts, 8 ft drifts
10
Mar 13-14, 1997
WC to NE
Snowstorm
12"-28" snow over two days
Be Prepared...
Before the Storm Strikes
At home and at work...
Have available:
In cars and trucks...
Plan your travel and check the latest weather reports to avoid the storm. If you do travel:
When Caught in a Winter Storm... |
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Outside | In a Vehicle | At Home |
Find Shelter:
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Stay in Your Vehicle and Run the Motor Sparingly:
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Stay Inside:
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Information Statements and
Public Service Announcements
(Note: Some files are in .doc format.)
Be Informed! -- Products issued by the NWS
Be Prepared! -- Prepare before winter storms strike
Be Safe! -- What to do if caught in a winter storm
How a Winter Storm Forms
Wisconsin Records -- Winter's records and extremes
Wind Chill Chart
Public Service Announcements -- Winter safety and awareness topics
Printable Winter Safety Brochure
The NWS Winter Weather Awareness Page -- National page