Travel 'Strongly Discouraged' Among Ice Storm Warnings With 30mph Winds Expected
The National Weather Service has issued an ice storm warning in fifteen counties of Wisconsin among growing wind speeds and cold conditions.
The warning was put into place on Thursday, April 2, and warms residents: "If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency." They also advise to "prepare for possible power outages," as road conditions become increasingly unstable.
Residents can find up-to-date details on the latest road conditions in the affected regions by calling 5 1 1.
Wisconsin Faces Power Outages & Icy Conditions Among Winter Storms
The warning was officially put into effect at 5.am on April 2 and will continue until 1 p.m. on April 3, as wind speeds continue to grow and temperatures decline.
The NWS predicts "significant icing", with "snow and sleet accumulations up to one inch and ice accumulations between two tenths and one half of an inch."
The warning states that power outages and tree damage are now "likely" due to icy conditions, with hazardous conditions expected to impact residents' daily commutes.
The ice storm warning has officially been put into effect in the following counties in Wisconsin: Clark County, Taylor County, Jackson County, Langlade County, Lincoln County, Waushara County, Outagamie County, Marathon County, Menominee County, Shawano County, Portage County, Wood County, Waupaca County, Oneida County, and Forest County.
Winter storm warnings have also been issued in surrounding counties in Wisconsin and neighboring states Michigan and Minnesota. These warn of "lushy wet snow with accumulations of 2 to 4 inches [and] a messy wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain."
"The greatest impacts from icing and freezing rain will occur over western Wisconsin and east-central Minnesota, with accumulations up to a quarter inch in Minnesota and a few tenths of an inch in Wisconsin. Power outages are possible due to icing of power lines in addition to gusty winds, and slippery to impossible travel will occur where ice accumulates. Slow travel from wet slushy snow is expected in western and central Minnesota."
Full details can be found on the National Weather Service's website.