A Wintery Mixed Storm of Snow and Ice Takes Aim at Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) – While some may be happy with a warm up this weekend and bundling up less, others are at risk on the roads.

After temperatures plummeted sub-zero this week, we are warming up significantly over the weekend. Temperatures across the state are expected to reach the mid to upper 30s on Saturday and continue to climb into the low 40s Sunday.

This spike in heat is only because of a bigger problem though. A “Colorado Low” pressure system is taking aim at Wisconsin. It’s expected to swing right through the state on Saturday. Bringing a messy wintry mix with ice accumulations along with it.

Saturday afternoon into Sunday… ice ice… baby?! Be careful! 🧊

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— Brittney Merlot (@wildweather.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 9:16 AM

Arriving Saturday afternoon in the west, freezing rain, sleet and snow is expected.

It’ll spread statewide throughout the evening as the system lifts northward, the south sees a switch to regular rain. Meanwhile, the north winds up with a wintry mix and light ice at night.

The state should flip to all rain, and sit in above freezing temperatures on Sunday.

So yes, this means no shoveling is required! However, it does mean avoiding the roads Saturday afternoon through early Sunday morning.

Before those temps climb above freezing, be careful on your stairs, driveway, sidewalks, parking lots, ramps, bridges and side roads. These places can catch you and slide you by surprise.

Also, practice proper ice safety if going out to fish this weekend with the warm up. Some sheets of ice may look safe to walk on at first glance but not every body of water has been cold enough for long enough at this point in the season.

People planning to get out on the ice for some fishing should check with their local fishing clubs, bring the proper safety equipment with them, and tell people where they’re going and when they expect to return.

You need at least 4” of ice thickness to walk out on safely.

Winds also play a key factor in shifting ice sheets around, where you could break away from shore.