Weather Alert in Wisconsin

Recent Locations: Lyons, NE   Chili, WI  

Winter Storm Watch issued March 13 at 2:27AM CDT until March 16 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN

AREAS AFFECTED: Polk; Barron; St. Croix; Pierce; Dunn; Pepin; Chippewa; Eau Claire

DESCRIPTION: ...DANGEROUS WINTER STORM LIKELY TO BRING EXTREME SNOW ACCUMULATIONS AND GUSTY WINDS... ...TRAVEL MAY BECOME IMPOSSIBLE LATE SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY... .A major winter storm will move across the Upper Midwest late Saturday into Sunday. Model guidance continues to illustrate a remarkable precipitation footprint across the region which will yield heavy snow accumulations on the order of 1 to 2 feet. Totals across portions of western and central Wisconsin could exceed 2 feet. The combination of heavy snow and gusty winds will reduce visibility and create periods of blizzard conditions on Sunday across western and southern Minnesota. Travel is expected to become very difficult or impossible late Saturday night and Sunday. In addition, the amount of water in the snowpack will make it wet and very heavy, leading to the potential for infrastructure damage and a health hazard for those shoveling. * WHAT...Heavy snow and blowing snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 18 and 28 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Barron, Polk, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce, and St. Croix Counties. * WHEN...From Saturday evening through Monday morning. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute.

INSTRUCTION: Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. Prepare now for potential road closures. Delay travel and shelter in place once conditions worsen. Remember, if interstate highways are closed, state highways and county roads are also impassable.

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Weather Topic: What is Sleet?

Home - Education - Precipitation - Sleet

Sleet Next Topic: Snow

Sleet is a form of precipitation in which small ice pellets are the primary components. These ice pellets are smaller and more translucent than hailstones, and harder than graupel. Sleet is caused by specific atmospheric conditions and therefore typically doesn't last for extended periods of time.

The condition which leads to sleet formation requires a warmer body of air to be wedged in between two sub-freezing bodies of air. When snow falls through a warmer layer of air it melts, and as it falls through the next sub-freezing body of air it freezes again, forming ice pellets known as sleet. In some cases, water droplets don't have time to freeze before reaching the surface and the result is freezing rain.

Next Topic: Snow

Weather Topic: What are Stratocumulus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Stratocumulus Clouds

Stratocumulus Clouds Next Topic: Stratus Clouds

Stratocumulus clouds are similar to altocumulus clouds in their fluffy appearance, but have a slightly darker shade due to their additional mass.

A good way to distinguish the two cloud types is to hold your hand out and measure the size of an individual cloud; if it is the size of your thumb it is generally an altocumulus cloud, if it is the size of your hand it is generally a stratocumulus cloud.

It is uncommon for stratocumulus clouds to produce precipitation, but if they do it is usually a light rain or snow.

Next Topic: Stratus Clouds

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