Winter Awareness Week this week for Wisconsin

• Snow

Snow

Talk about it

This is “Winter Weather Awareness Week” in Wisconsin – and in some places, the coldest temperatures of the season are right on cue.

The mercury dropped down to 12 degrees at seven o’clock in Merrill and Tomahawk under clear skies. But it stayed warm in western Wisconsin, where it was cloudy all night. It was a balmy 37 in Prairie du Chien at seven a-m – and it was above freezing as far north as Osceola in Polk County. It was mild in southeast Wisconsin, as well. It was 36 in Milwaukee this morning. There were snow flurries this morning in parts of eastern Wisconsin, and authorities warned of slippery road conditions in some places.

A new cold front is supposed to move in tonight, with a chance of light snow tonight and perhaps freezing rain in some spots tomorrow morning. Highs are expected to be in the 40’s all week, warming up to perhaps 50 on Friday.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has released a ton of information for Winter Weather Awareness Week. Among other things, we’re told that “winter weather advisories” are issued when 3-to-6 inches of snow are expected – or if drifting snow or freezing rain gets in the mix. Winter storm warnings generally alert us to six-inches of snow or more in a 12-hour period – or eight inches in 24 hours.

Tags: news, wisconsin, weather