First Alert Weather Day through Sunday night

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) - A significant winter storm will impact North Central Wisconsin today. Along with that, gusty winds will cause blowing and drifting snow, especially tonight into Monday. Central Wisconsin will not pick up as much in the way of snowfall, but there will be a few inches of accumulation in Wausau and near and southeast of the Highway 29 corridor with lesser amounts the farther southwest you are in the viewing area.

Winter Storm Warning for the Northwoods, Winter Weather Advisories a bit to the south. Wind... — Winter Storm Warning for the Northwoods, Winter Weather Advisories a bit to the south. Wind Advisory to the west.(WSAW)

Heaviest snow will be north of Highway 29. — Heaviest snow will be north of Highway 29.(WSAW)

Snowfall amounts decrease to the SW. — Snowfall amounts decrease to the SW.(WSAW)

Periods of snow, heavy at times in the Northwoods through early this evening. — Periods of snow, heavy at times in the Northwoods through early this evening.(WSAW)

Periods of snow, heavy at times north through midday. — Periods of snow, heavy at times north through midday.(WSAW)

Snow will impact the Northwoods through the afternoon, while snow showers farther south. — Snow will impact the Northwoods through the afternoon, while snow showers farther south.(WSAW)

Snow showers in the north, while breezy in the rest of the area. — Snow showers in the north, while breezy in the rest of the area.(WSAW)

Lake effect snow north, while blustery and turning colder on Monday. — Lake effect snow north, while blustery and turning colder on Monday.(WSAW)

Roads will be in rough shape for much of the day from Highway 29 on north. — Roads will be in rough shape for much of the day from Highway 29 on north.(WSAW)

A First Alert Weather Day for this winter storm runs through late tonight, especially for the Northwoods where the heaviest amount of snow will fall and the impacts will be the greatest. Periods of moderate to heavy snow will fall across the Northwoods, while light snow or snow showers will affect Central Wisconsin. Several inches of additional snowfall is likely in locations near and north of Highway 8, while a few inches of snow will add up south of Highway 8 to near Highway 29. Across the remainder of the region to the south, there will be minor accumulations, just enough to make roads slippery and/or wet. In the Northwoods, roads will be snow-covered and hazardous. Breezy on Sunday with highs in the upper 20s to low 30s. Total snowfall of 8-12″ is expected in the far north, where lake enhancement will take place in parts of Vilas County. 5-9″ for the rest of the region north of Highway 29, 3-6″ near and to the east of Wausau, while 1-3″ south of Highway 29 to near Highway 10. A coating to 1″ for the remainder of the area farther south.

As low pressure shifts to the east tonight, and a cold front swings through the region, colder air will roll in on northwest winds. Snow showers will gradually taper off, but blowing and drifting snow will be an issue where accumulations from Sunday took place. This will reduce visibility Sunday night and on Monday, especially in the Northwoods, and cause treacherous road conditions to persist into Monday. Wind gusts up to 40 mph are possible through Monday morning, slowly tapering off later in the day on Monday.

Temperatures will tumble on Monday. Morning highs in the upper teens to low 20s, falling back through the teens in Central Wisconsin during the afternoon, and down to the single digits in the Northwoods. Whatever is wet or slushy will freeze solid by Monday afternoon. Wind chill values will slide below zero Monday afternoon and evening, and be in the teens below zero for Tuesday morning. Be prepared for this blast of colder air.

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