Impactful system likely Sunday, bringing the chance of storms, snow, and strong wind gusts

 

In the next 24 hours an impactful low-pressure system is expected to move through the Eastern half of the United States bringing multiple impacts to different regions. Here across the state line, we'll see almost every impact from this system as we'll experience both the warm and cold side of this system.

Early on through the early afternoon and evening tomorrow, a southerly wind ahead of this system will transport warm and moist air allowing for showers, however if we see minor instability develop a few thunderstorms (isolated severe storms) may be possible. As of now, the Storm Prediction Center has outlined most of the region in a 1/5 risk through the afternoon tomorrow for the possibility of damaging wind gusts if proper instability develops.

As we flip onto the cold side of the system the brunt of the impacts will begin to be felt. As temperatures drop tomorrow evening, we may see some mixed precipitation or sleet which will gradually transition into snow showers overnight Sunday and into Monday. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the entire region (besides McHenry and Dekalb counties) highlighting the chance for snow accumulation 4 inches or more, along with gusty winds which may promote blizzard like conditions Sunday and into Monday. 

The wind with this system will most likely be the biggest impact especially on the cooler side of the system. Initially our southerly wind through Sunday afternoon will help fuel our storm potential, however wind gusts will still be in excess of 30-35+ mph. Once we flip to the cooler side, wind gusts will peak up to 40+ mph as winds shift out of the north. As this occurs, snowfall will likely be ongoing, or snow may be on the ground so the risk of blowing snow and blizzard like conditions will be possible Sunday evening into Monday morning.

In terms of total snowfall, we are still a bit a way out from knowing concrete totals. However, at least 2-6" do look likely across the region. The wider range takes into account any freezing rain or sleet we see before we switch to snow as any other types of precipitation may eat at our totals a little bit. Even though we're expecting late season snowfall, it could be worse! Folks in Northern Wisconsin are expecting near 1 to 2 feet of snowfall with this system!