Mid Afternoon Update: Accumulating snow to impact the Thursday morning commute
Updated Wednesday, November 20th 3:00pm:
A spotty mix of rain and snow showers is pushing through southeast Wisconsin this afternoon, but the main show won't arrive until Thursday morning. A burst of wet snow is likely between 5-9am, transitioning rain from north to south late morning into early afternoon.
A good 1-3" of snow is expected Thursday morning, but it will melt and compact during the afternoon as temps rise to around 40°.
Pavement temperatures will be hovering around the freezing mark Thursday morning, so plan on a slower and slicker commute.
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While we had some snow pellets and flurries in the middle of October, the rest of the season has been all snow free. That changes the next 36 hours with some flurries possible on Wednesday and accumulating snow likely on Thursday. Wednesday morning features a few sprinkles or light rain showers then we dry out for midday Wednesday before snow showers and flurries arrives Wednesday mid-afternoon through the evening. The snow might come down quick at times Wednesday afternoon and evening but no accumulation is expected.
Accumulating snow is looking more likely for the Thursday morning commute. The snow starts in our northern counties around 5 PM and moves south with all of southeast Wisconsin seeing steady moderate snowfall by 8 AM through the early afternoon. Even though the ground and roads are warm after a mild fall, the rate of snow will likely be heavy enough to support accumulating snow.
Anywhere from 1-2" of snow is expected for most of southeast Wisconsin Thursday morning. Some lakeside communities might not quite reach the one inch mark and some inland areas could get a bit over 2" but in general 1-2" looks likely. Most of the accumulation will happen on grass and cars but some slushy and slick roads are expected as well.
With the expectation for accumulating snow and the impact to the Thursday morning commute, the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for all of southeast Wisconsin for the potential for accumulating snow to impact the commute. The Advisory starts at 6 AM Thursday and lasts until Noon.
By the early afternoon most of the snow will have switched over the rain showers that will last through the afternoon and evening. A lot of the snow that does fall Thursday morning will melt by Thursday afternoon as highs rise in the low 40s.
In addition to the moderate snow Thursday morning, strong wind is likely. Wind gusts on Thursday will range from 20-40 mph. This will be a fairly wet and slushy snow so it won't blow around as easy as a drier snow but still expecting some blowing snow that will reduce visibility. The breeze will continue through the weekend.
Download the CBS 58 Ready Weather app to track the snow as it arrives Thursday.