Weather Alert in Wisconsin

Recent Locations: Muscoda, WI

Winter Storm Warning issued March 14 at 6:12AM CDT until March 16 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN

AREAS AFFECTED: Polk; Barron; Rusk; St. Croix; Pierce; Dunn; Pepin; Chippewa; Eau Claire

DESCRIPTION: ...POWERFUL WINTER STORM ON TRACK TO BRING EXTREME SNOW ACCUMULATIONS AND STRONG WINDS... ...A WINTRY MIX OF RAIN, FREEZING RAIN, AND SLEET LATE TONIGHT ACROSS SOUTHERN MINNESOTA... ...TRAVEL MAY BECOME IMPOSSIBLE LATE TONIGHT AND SUNDAY... .A major winter storm will move across the Upper Midwest starting late this afternoon and lasting through Sunday evening. The first concern is heavy snow with a broad area of 12 to 18 inches expected across central Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A narrow swath within the broader area may approach 2 feet in parts of far east central Minnesota and west central Wisconsin. Rates of 2 to 2.5 inches per hour are likely late tonight. A wintry mix of rain, freezing rain, and sleet is now expected to work north into southern Minnesota tonight. A half inch of sleet and a tenth of an inch of ice are expected from New Ulm to Red Wing and south. The wintry mix will turn to all snow Sunday morning. The second concern is increasing winds on Sunday. Even though the snow will be tapering off gradually throughout Sunday, northwest winds will increase to 30 to 40 mph. Some gusts of 50 to 55 mph are possible. The combination of falling snow, blowing snow, and gusty winds will reduce visibility and create blizzard conditions late Sunday morning through Sunday evening across western and southern Minnesota. Travel is expected to become very difficult or impossible late tonight through Sunday evening. In addition, the amount of water in the snowpack will make it very heavy, leading to the potential for infrastructure damage and a health hazard for those shoveling. * WHAT...Heavy snow and blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 15 and 20 inches, with locally higher amounts possible. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Barron, Polk, Rusk, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce, and St. Croix Counties. * WHEN...From 7 PM this evening to 7 AM CDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the Monday morning commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

INSTRUCTION: If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Call 5 1 1 or visit 511wi.gov for road conditions.

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Weather Topic: What are Wall Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Wall Clouds

Wall Clouds Next Topic: Altocumulus Clouds

A wall cloud forms underneath the base of a cumulonimbus cloud, and can be a hotbed for deadly tornadoes.

Wall clouds are formed by air flowing into the cumulonimbus clouds, which can result in the wall cloud descending from the base of the cumulonimbus cloud, or rising fractus clouds which join to the base of the storm cloud as the wall cloud takes shape.

Wall clouds can be very large, and in the Northern Hemisphere they generally form at the southern edge of cumulonimbus clouds.

Next Topic: Altocumulus Clouds

Weather Topic: What are Altostratus Clouds?

Home - Education - Cloud Types - Altostratus Clouds

Next Topic: Cirrocumulus Clouds

Altostratus clouds form at mid to high-level altitudes (between 2 and 7 km) and are created by a warm, stable air mass which causes water vapor to condense as it rise through the atmosphere. Usually altostratus clouds are featureless sheets characterized by a uniform color.

In some cases, wind punching through the cloud formation may give it a waved appearance, called altostratus undulatus. Altostratus clouds are commonly seen with other cloud formations accompanying them.

Next Topic: Cirrocumulus Clouds