Snowfall totals in from first widespread winter storm of season
Regional Weather-- The final numbers are in from Sunday's big storm which brought winter to much of Minnesota and Wisconsin
The final numbers are in from Sunday's big storm which brought winter to much of Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The highest total -- 17-point-three-inches of snow -- fell on Sacred Heart in Renville County, Minnesota. East of the Twin Cities, Lake Elmo got 17, while 16-and-a-half-inches accumulated in Chisago City, Forest Lake and Isanti. Typically, lesser amounts piled up to the north and south, with under two-inches of snow recorded in places like Albert Lea and Grand Rapids. The Eau Claire area got the most snow in Wisconsin, with Menomonie topping out at just over 16-inches. The northwest part of the state had the largest snow totals – 14 inches at Ellsworth, Osceola, and Elk Mound, and nearly a foot at Durand. Osseo had almost 11 inches. Marshfield and parts of central Wisconsin had eight inches, as did Coleman in Marinette County. The La Crosse region had around seven inches. Southern and eastern areas had 1-to-5 inches,
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The first big snowstorm of the season is a welcome shot in the arm for some of the parched landscape across Minnesota. Assistant state climatologist Pete Boulay says a 60- to 80-mile swath received the heaviest precipitation, roughly centered around the Twin Cities west to around Montevideo and Canby. Boulay says those areas picked up from three-quarters to a little better than an inch of melted snow -- which definitely helps out with the drought situation a little bit. Boulay says Sunday's snowfall was the largest precipitation event for the Twin Cities and parts of central and southern Minnesota since July. Far southern Minnesota and the northwest missed out on the double-digit accumulations.
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Another light band of snow traveled across parts of the Badger State this morning – and forecasters say all but far southern Wisconsin can expect some light flurries today. Meanwhile, some of that heavy snow could start melting tomorrow, with high temperatures expected in the low-to-mid-30’s statewide until Friday. There’s a chance of snow-or-rain on Saturday.
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Milwaukee officially received no snow, and the city set a new record for the number of consecutive snowless days with 280. Milwaukee tied the mark on Saturday with 279. Forecasters expect the streak to continue at least into the weekend. Flurries are expected this afternoon. However, the city’s official reporting station at Mitchell International Airport is not expected to get anything measurable. J.J. Wood of the National Weather Service said Milwaukee was lucky not to get snow, because storms which could have hit the city went to the north and west instead. But Wood said Milwaukee will certainly get snowed upon sometime this winter – although he has no idea exactly when.
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If you’re anxious to ride your snowmobile, trails are starting to open in the wake of last weekend’s heavy snows. In Eagle River, Vilas County officials said their state-funded snowmobile trails were to open at noon today. State tourism officials say trails are also opening up in Bayfield, Douglas, and Burnett counties. Up to 10-inches of snow fell in parts of far northern Wisconsin yesterday and this morning. Vilas County officials urged snowmobilers to watch for icy patches, wet stretches, and other rough spots in low-lying areas. Parts of far western Wisconsin received 14-to-16 inches of snow this past weekend.
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A member of a central Wisconsin snowmobile club said his local trails were open for only five days last winter. Randy Thurs of the Trail-mates’ club in Wausau is looking for a lot longer season this time around. His club has 150 members who groom about 80 miles of snowmobile trails. And they’re hoping the new snow from the weekend will stay around – with a fresh topping of the white stuff – so they can get to work. The Wausau region had around eight inches of snow yesterday and this morning. Parts of north central and northwest Wisconsin opened their snowmobile trails today – namely in Vilas, Bayfield, Douglas, and Burnett counties. Up to 16 inches of new snow fell in parts of the northwest. Lingering snow was expected to clear out tonight, with colder temperatures expected in the single digits and teens by daybreak tomorrow.
Tags: news, weather, wisconsin, minnesota
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