It's been a WILD start to the snow season as winter has been in full force since Thanksgiving. We had the winter storm from two weekends ago, the clipper system that followed, a brief Arctic snap, and then another clipper system this past weekend. Now, for those who want to see a break in the snowy pattern, unfortunately we're stuck on the "clipper express". Meaning, mother nature plans to throw more cold and more snow opportunities our way.
Ahead of clipper #1, we remain dry but chilly. Highs are expected to peak in the low 20s this afternoon under a mostly cloudy sky. As we inch closer towards midnight, scattered snow associated with the clipper's warm front will slide in, mainly impacting areas along and north of the IL/WI border. Accumulations will be minor but could make for slippery travel potential during Tuesday's morning commute.
Winter alerts span from North Dakota to Wisconsin ahead of clipper system #2. This system will be a tad more organized, sweeping across central and southern Wisconsin Wednesday morning.
What we'll have to pay close attention to is the overall track of the storm system as well as the location of the rain/snow mix (32-degree) line. As of this morning, forecast models place the rain/snow mix line between highway 20 and Madison.
IF there was a slight shift south in the overall track, that would further the areas chance for wintry precipitation. IF the rain/snow mix line stays near the IL/WI border, that would favor us seeing a rain/snow wintry mix. Finally, if the track is bumped slightly north, that would place us under the warm sector" of the clipper, giving us a better shot for precipitation to fall as rain. I do think we have a solid shot at seeing a rain/snow mix late Tuesday into Wednesday, with precipitation wrapping up by Wednesday afternoon.
With the current scenario placing the surface low somewhere near the IL/WI border or over southern Wisconsin, the axis of heavier snow will be focused to our north across portions of central and northern Wisconsin. But again, if we do see a slight shift south in the low's overall track, that would bring some of those heavier totals south as well. Something to watch as we get into Tuesday evening/night.
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