Snow...heavy at times...will fall over extreme northern Douglas County...and far northern portions of Bayfield and Ashland counties...including the Cloverland...Port Wing...Herbster...Sand Bay...Ashland...Odanah...and Washburn areas. Visibilities will drop to a half mile at times. 1 to 2 inches of snow has been reported in Port Wing...Cloverland and in the Odanah areas so far this afternoon. In addition to the snow...winds will be increasing as well...causing further visibility restrictions. Conditions will only get worse across northern Wisconsin as the evening progresses.
Forecast for Douglas
Updated: 3:39 PM CST on December 8, 2009
Winter Storm Warning in effect until 6 am CST Thursday...
Tonight
Windy...snow. Areas of blowing snow in the evening. Blowing snow after midnight. Snow accumulation of 4 to 7 inches. Lows 11 to 16. North winds 20 to 30 mph.
Wednesday
Windy...snow. Blowing snow. Snow accumulation of 3 to 6 inches...highest in northeast Douglas County. Highs 14 to 19. Northwest winds 20 to 30 mph.
Breezy...cloudy. Blowing snow. A chance of snow showers. Snow accumulation up to 3 inches. Total snow accumulation 8 to 15 inches...with highest amounts in northeast Douglas County. Lows 2 below to 7 below zero. Northwest winds 15 to 25 mph. Wind chill readings 15 below to 25 below zero.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. Scattered flurries. Highs 5 to 10. West winds 10 to 20 mph. Wind chill readings 20 below to 30 below zero.
Mostly cloudy. Lows 8 below to 13 below zero inland...and 2 below to 7 below zero near Lake Superior. West winds 10 to 15 mph. Wind chill readings 20 below to 30 below zero.
Friday and Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. Highs 9 to 14. Lows 1 below to 6 below zero.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of light snow. Highs 11 to 16.
Saturday Night through Tuesday
Partly cloudy. Lows 4 below to 9 below zero. Highs 11 to 16.
... Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 6 am CST Thursday...
* snow... heavy at times... will continue tonight... Wednesday... and much of Wednesday night along the South Shore of Lake Superior including Maple... the Bayfield peninsula... Ashland... Mellen and Hurley.
* Storm total snow accumulations from 12 to 18 inches are expected... with the greatest amounts across the higher terrain of the Bayfield peninsula and the Gogebic Range. Accumulations in western Douglas and southern Bayfield counties may be slightly less... in the 7 to 11 inch range.
* Northeast to north winds will increase to 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph tonight and Wednesday. The winds will cause widespread blowing and drifting snow that will create whiteout conditions at times.
* Travel conditions will deteriorate rapidly this afternoon and evening due to snow and blowing snow and very dangerous Road and travel conditions are expected tonight... Wednesday and Wednesday night. Travel may become nearly impossible during the peak of the storm late tonight and Wednesday.
* Strong winds may blow down some tree limbs that may affect some power lines and area roads. In addition... cold Arctic air will spread across the region as the storm departs... with wind chill values dropping into the teens and 20s below zero Wednesday night and Thursday.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A Winter Storm Warning for heavy snow and blowing snow means the combination of strong winds and falling and blowing snow will cause dangerously low visibility and drifting snow. If you must travel... use extreme caution and allow extra time to reach your destination. Be aware that you may become stranded and that it could take many hours for help to arrive. Keep a winter survival kit in your vehicle... including a flashlight... food... and water. Let someone know your travel Route and expected arrival time and have a cell phone in case you become stranded.