Winter Storm Warning Issued for Polk, Barron, and Rusk Counties; Up to 20 Inches of Snow Expected

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen has issued a Winter Storm Warning for portions of western Wisconsin. The alert is in response to a powerful winter storm on track to bring extreme snow accumulations and strong winds to the region.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the following counties in Wisconsin:

• Polk
• Barron
• Rusk

Expected Conditions

Residents should prepare for hazardous winter weather, including:

• Snow Accumulations: Total snow totals between 13 and 20 inches are expected.
• Wind: Northwest winds will increase, with gusts reaching as high as 40 mph.
• Visibility: Widespread blowing snow is expected to significantly reduce visibility, potentially creating blizzard conditions.
• Snow Quality: The snowpack will have high water content, making it very heavy. This poses a risk for infrastructure damage and presents a health hazard for those shoveling.

Timeline

The Winter Storm Warning is effective from 7:00 PM CDT Saturday, March 14, through 7:00 AM CDT Monday, March 16. Travel is expected to become very difficult to impossible starting late Saturday night and continuing through Sunday evening, impacting the Monday morning commute.

What You Should Do

Travel is strongly discouraged. If you must travel, the National Weather Service advises keeping an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. For the latest road conditions in Wisconsin, call 5-1-1 or visit 511wi.gov.