Winter storm brings more snow to Wisconsin by Alex Deakin
Winter returned in Wisconsin as a severe storm bore down that meteorologists warned would last through the weekend, bringing howling winds and up to 69cms (27 inches) of snow to parts of the state.
A strong low-pressure system from the southern plains will skirt along the lower Great Lakes, putting Madison in the path of the brunt of the storm.
It's been quite a while since Madisonians have used the "b-word," but come Sunday, "blizzard" could be the buzzword to describe what's thought to be the biggest storm of the winter to hit southern Wisconsin.
Between 30 to 40cms (11 to 16 inches) of heavy, wet snow could fall on Madison and the region, with high winds making for dangerous travel conditions on Saturday night and Sunday.
"This will be a very heavy snowfall," warned Weather Central meteorologist Brian Olson. "Travel on Saturday night and Sunday will be treacherous to downright impossible."
The suburb of Verona had already received 15cms (6 inches), according to spotters, and up to 23cms (9 inches) were forecast to fall by Saturday morning, with a second band of heavy snow delivering another 25 to 35cms (9 to 14 inches) beginning Saturday afternoon.
Tom Zajdel, meteorologist from The National Weather Service, said that the storm was similar to severe weather often seen in the spring. But with temperatures below freezing, there would be heavy snow - not rain - just a few days after parts of Wisconsin reached record highs on Wednesday.
The National Weather Service has placed all of Southeast Wisconsin under a Winter Storm Watch from Saturday evening to Sunday afternoon.
With a blizzard on the way relatively late into winter, residents needing snow removal equipment such as snow blowers or shovels might have a bit of difficulty finding a selection, because springtime gear is starting to replace the winter stuff on store shelves.
The storm moving out of the Rockies onto the central Plains will spark a widespread outbreak of severe weather tonight across many eastern states in the USA - ranging from tornadoes to a blizzard and flooding rain.
The Severe Weather Centre warns the outbreak of powerful storms overnight will produce tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail and torrential downpours that could pose a threat to lives and property.
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