First Alert Days: Wintry Mix Today-Thursday

• Light Snow Tonight
• Wintry Mix Wednesday & Thursday
• Arctic Air Friday

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - Now is the time to prepare for another significant winter storm in southern Wisconsin.

A First Alert Day is in place both Wednesday and Thursday for a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain. A Winter Storm Warning is also in place for southern Wisconsin with an Ice Storm Warning in place for stateline counties Wednesday through Thursday. Heavier snow totals are expected to the north with more freezing rain expected to the south. In between the two, all types of precipitation are expected. Snow totals could be as high as 10 inches across the far north with around and inch in the south.

The freezing rain potential in the southern part of the area could result into a quarter of an inch or more of ice. In combination with winds to 40 mph, significant problems are expected in the days ahead. Being on the line for several precipitation types always complicates the situation and small shift in track or temperatures can still have a big impact. Stay tuned to the forecast as we move through the next couple of days.

Light snow develops this evening and continues into tonight and Wednesday morning. Snow totals by Wednesday morning will be from a trace to the south to as much as three inches to the north. Overnight lows will be in the upper 20s with gusty easterly winds of 10-15 mph gusting to 30 mph. There will be a brief break in the active weather early Wednesday before more steady mixed precipitation returns by midday Wednesday.

A mixture of snow, sleet, freezing rain is expected from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon before tapering down Thursday evening. Significant accumulations of all types of precipitation are expected during this time frame. Temperatures will be fairly steady in the upper 20s to lower 30s. Gusty winds of 30-40 mph will be possible during this time frame leading to additional concerns with blowing snow and power outages from ice.

Things calm down Thursday night and Friday as Arctic air moves in. Lows dip back to the single digits and hang out in the teens for highs. This will likely limit how much road crews can do and how utility crews can get out. Warmer temperatures will return for the weekend along with above freezing high temperatures. There is a small chance of snow Saturday.

More active weather next week with perhaps a surge of spring-like warmth on Monday. This could bring widespread rain with the potential of heavy rain and thunderstorms.

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