Winter Storm Warning Issued for Crawford and Richland Counties; Heavy Snow and Ice Expected

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in La Crosse has issued a Winter Storm Warning for portions of southwest Wisconsin. This alert follows an initial Winter Weather Advisory as a dangerous winter storm moves through the region.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the following geographic regions:

• Crawford County
• Richland County

Expected Conditions

Residents should prepare for a multi-phase weather event with the following hazards:

• Precipitation: Initial freezing rain will transition to heavy mixed precipitation. Total snow and sleet accumulations are expected to reach between 6 and 9 inches. Ice accumulations from the early phase of the storm will result in a light glaze.
• Wind: Gusts are forecast to reach as high as 45 mph.
• Visibility: Widespread blowing snow is expected to significantly reduce visibility, making travel difficult.
• Infrastructure: The combination of heavy snow, ice, and gusty winds may bring down tree branches and cause power outages.

Timeline

• Winter Weather Advisory: Effective from 1:00 AM to 1:00 PM CDT Sunday, March 15.
• Winter Storm Warning: Effective from 1:00 PM Sunday, March 15, until 1:00 PM CDT Monday, March 16.

What You Should Do

Travel is expected to be very difficult and could impact the Monday morning commute. If you must travel, the National Weather Service recommends keeping an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

Residents are encouraged to slow down and use caution if they must be on the roads. For the latest road conditions in Wisconsin, visit 511wi.gov. Prepare for the possibility of power outages due to wind and ice loading.