Major Impact Winter Storm Continues to Affect The Region Today
Monday, March 16th, 2026 -- 9:40 AM
(NOTE: This story will be updated throughout the storm)
The 9:30 AM update from the National Weather Service Offices in LaCrosse & Green Bay -
FOR CLARK, TAYLOR & JACKSON COUNTIES: THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS EXTENDED UNTIL NOON CDT MONDAY.
* WHAT...Drifting snow due to winds gusting as high as 35 mph and ongoing impacts from the overnight & morning snow.
* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions.
FOR WOOD, MARATHON & PORTAGE COUNTIES: BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM CDT MONDAY.
* WHAT...Blizzard conditions continue. Additional snow accumulations up to two inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.
* IMPACTS...Travel will become very difficult to impossible with whiteout conditions. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches and cause power outages.
The 511wi Road Conditions Report as of 9:30 AM - Travel is not advised in Portage and Wood Counties. Elsewhere roads are parcially or completely covered by snow and/or ice. Use extreme caution if out driving and be prepared for occasional whiteout conditions with the blowing snow. Travel is highly discouraged. Give snow removal crews room to safely work.
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The 4 AM (3/16/26) update from the National Weather Service Offices in LaCrosse & Green Bay -
FOR CLARK, TAYLOR & JACKSON COUNTIES: BLIZZARD WARNING IS CANCELLED. A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM CDT MONDAY.
Moderate to heavy snow continues across southwest Wisconsin with significant blowing and drifting due to strong gusts to 40 to 50 mph. Widespread heavy impacts are ongoing so the Blizzard Warning will continue in these areas until midday. North of the I-90 corridor in Wisconsin and west of the US 51 corridor, conditions have begun to improve with visibilities rising over 1 mile, new snow tapering off, and gusts starting to fall below 35 mph. However, with blowing and drifting continuing, the Blizzard Warning in these areas has been replaced with a Winter Weather Advisory through 10 AM. West of the Mississippi, while new snow tapers off, strong gusts to 50 mph continue, with conditions improving only somewhat around sunrise, when blowing and drifting will continue until at least mid morning. Therefore, the Blizzard Warning continues in these areas and will be replaced with a Winter Weather Advisory at 7 AM this morning.
* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations up to two inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.
* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.
FOR WOOD, MARATHON & PORTAGE COUNTIES: BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM CDT MONDAY.
* WHAT...Blizzard conditions redeveloping this morning. Additional snow accumulations between 3 and 8 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. *
* IMPACTS...Travel will become very difficult to impossible with whiteout conditions. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches and cause power outages. The Monday morning commute will be severely impacted.
The 511wi Road Conditions Report as of 4 AM - Travel is not advised in Jackson and Wood Counties. Elsewhere roads are parcially or completely covered by snow and/or ice. Use extreme caution if out driving. Give snow removal crews room to safely work.
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The 8 PM update from the National Weather Service Offices in LaCrosse & Green Bay -
The second round of heavy snow seen spreading across the forecast area this evening as strong winds gust 40 to 50 mph. Visibility reductions observed across southeast Minnesota and northeast Iowa this evening spread east into Wisconsin concurrent with heavier snowfall tonight. While heaviest snowfall rates overnight mostly remain in northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin, strongest winds perpetuate Blizzard conditions elsewhere, especially where highest storm total snow has been realized. Highest additional snowfall totals overnight expected from northeast Iowa through southwest into central Wisconsin with an an additional 5" to 10" expected. Dangerous travel conditions expected.
FOR CLARK, TAYLOR & JACKSON COUNTIES: BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM CDT MONDAY.
* WHAT...Blizzard conditions. Additional snow accumulations between 1 and 3 inches. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph.
* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.
FOR WOOD, MARATHON & PORTAGE COUNTIES: BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM CDT MONDAY.
* WHAT...Blizzard conditions, especially overnight into Monday morning. Additional snow accumulations between 5 and 9 inches and ice accumulations around a light glaze. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.
* IMPACTS...Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. Travel could be very difficult. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the Monday morning commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...There will be a lull in the heavy snow until later this evening. During the lull, periods of light snow mixed with light freezing drizzle can be expected. Strong winds will still cause significant blowing and drifting snow in open areas.
The 511wi Road Conditions Report as of 8 PM - Travel is not advised in Jackson and Wood Counties. Elsewhere roads are parcially or completely covered by snow and/or ice.
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The 11 AM update from the National Weather Service Offices in LaCrosse & Green Bay -
The first round of this winter storm is beginning to exit the area late this morning which will leave a brief lull across the area for the late morning and early afternoon. During this period, winds will begin to increase with wind gusts of 40 to 55 mph by the early evening. This will result in blizzard conditions where a Blizzard Warning is in effect. Dangerous travel conditions are expected during this period, particularly north of Interstate 90 where snowfall totals of 12 to 24 inches will see significant drifting with the increasing winds. A secondary round of accumulating snow will move into the region late this afternoon and into the morning hours on Monday with highest additional totals favored in west-central and southwest Wisconsin with snow exiting the region by noon on Monday.
FOR CLARK, TAYLOR & JACKSON COUNTIES: BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM CDT MONDAY.
* WHAT...Blizzard conditions. Additional snow accumulations between 4 and 10 inches. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute. Strong winds could cause tree damage.
FOR WOOD, MARATHON & PORTAGE COUNTIES: BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM CDT MONDAY.
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. The snow will mix with or change over to sleet or freezing rain at times today. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 13 and 22 inches. Ice accumulations between one and two tenths of an inch. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph will result in considerable blowing and drifting snow, resulting in blizzard conditions this afternoon into Monday.
* IMPACTS...Travel will become very difficult to impossible with whiteout conditions. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches and cause power outages. The Monday morning commute will be severely impacted.
The 511wi Road Conditions Report as of 11 AM - Travel is not advised in Eau Claire, Jackson, Wood, Marathon & Portage Counties. There have been numerous crashes and disabled vehicles reported by law enforcement agencies.
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The 6 AM (3/15/26) update from the National Weather Service Offices in LaCrosse & Green Bay -
A dangerous and potentially historic winter storm will impact the region through Monday morning. Snow rates his morning of 2 to 4 inches per hour are likely across portions of northern Clark and Taylor Counties. Mixed precipitation is likely near I-90 this morning where freezing rain accumulations of one to three tenths of an inch of ice is likely. By this afternoon, much of the area will switchover to snow with wind gusts increasing to 35 to 55 mph. This will result in widespread visibilities reductions to 1/4 mile or less at times where the Blizzard Warning is in effect. Storm total snow accumulations will likely approach all-time records in north-central Wisconsin with 18 to 36 inches of snow expected north of Interstate 94. Travel will be impossible for much of the area throughout the storm. Any travel should be reserved for emergencies only. Power outages and tree damage will be possible with the combination of heavy snow, ice, and increasing winds today.
FOR CLARK, TAYLOR & JACKSON COUNTIES: A WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM CDT SUNDAY. A BLIZZARD WARNING WILL BE IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM SUNDAY TO 7 AM CDT MONDAY .
* WHAT...For the Winter Storm Warning, heavy mixed precipitation. Additional snow and sleet accumulations between 3 and 11 inches and ice accumulations around a light glaze. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. For the Blizzard Warning, blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations between 8 and 11 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.
FOR WOOD, MARATHON & PORTAGE COUNTIES: A WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM CDT SUNDAY. A BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM SUNDAY TO 4 PM CDT MONDAY.
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. The snow will mix with or change over to sleet or freezing rain at times today. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 13 and 22 inches. Ice accumulations between one and two tenths of an inch. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph will result in considerable blowing and drifting snow, resulting in blizzard conditions this afternoon into Monday.
* IMPACTS...Travel will become very difficult to impossible with whiteout conditions. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches and cause power outages. The Monday morning commute will be severely impacted.
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The 3 PM update from the National Weather Service Offices in LaCrosse & Green Bay -
A dangerous and potentially historic winter storm will move into the region this evening and continue through early Monday morning. Snow will move into the region this evening north of Interstate 90 with snowfall rates increasing throughout the overnight. By early Sunday morning snowfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour are likely across portions of northern Clark and Taylor Counties. Mixed precipitation is likely near I-90 Sunday morning where freezing rain accumulations of one to three tenths of an inch of ice is likely. By Sunday afternoon, much of the area will switchover to snow with wind gusts increasing to 35 to 50 mph. This will result in widespread visibilities reductions to 1/4 mile or less at times where the Blizzard Warning is in effect. Storm total snow accumulations will likely approach all-time records in north-central Wisconsin with 18 to 36 inches of snow expected north of Interstate 94. Travel will be impossible for much of the area throughout the storm. Any travel should be reserved for emergencies only. Power outages and tree damage will be possible with the combination of heavy snow, ice, and increasing winds on Sunday.
FOR CLARK, TAYLOR & JACKSON COUNTIES: A WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM CDT SUNDAY. A BLIZZARD WARNING WILL BE IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM SUNDAY TO 7 AM CDT MONDAY .
* WHAT...For the Winter Storm Warning, heavy mixed precipitation expected with heavy snow expected north Interstate 94. For the Blizzard Warning, blizzard conditions expected with winds gusting as high as 45 mph. Storm total snow accumulations south of Interstate 94 between 10 and 18 inches and ice accumulations around a light glaze. Storm total snow accumulations north of Interstate 94 of 18 to 36 inches.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.
FOR WOOD, MARATHON & PORTAGE COUNTIES: A WINTER STORM WARNING NOW IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM CDT SUNDAY. A BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM SUNDAY TO 4 PM CDT MONDAY.
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. The snow will mix with or change over to sleet, freezing rain, and rain at times late tonight through Sunday morning. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 15 and 22 inches, and ice accumulations between one and two tenths of an inch. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph may result in considerable blowing and drifting resulting blizzard conditions Sunday into Monday.
* IMPACTS...Travel will become very difficult to impossible with whiteout conditions. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches and cause power outages. The Monday morning commute will be impacted.
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The 9 AM (3/14/26) update from the National Weather Service Offices in LaCrosse & Green Bay -
A high impact winter storm will bring snow and a wintry mix of rain, freezing rain, and sleet this evening and continuing into Monday morning. Confidence is high that there will be a band of heavy snow somewhere north of I-90, but exactly where this band sets up is still somewhat uncertain. There will also be a sharp cutoff in snow amounts on the south side of this band where that wintry mix occurs instead of snow this evening to early Sunday afternoon. Regardless of snow amounts, strong winds on the backside of the storm Sunday afternoon into Monday morning will likely lead to blizzard conditions in open areas. Monitor the latest forecast for updates as the track of the storm is better pinned down. Expect difficult to impossible travel conditions where the heavy snow band and icing ultimately occur.
A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 1 PM CDT MONDAY FOR CLARK, TAYLOR & JACKSON COUNTIES
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected, which may mix briefly at times with sleet and freezing rain. Total snow accumulations between 12 and 18 inches with localized amounts approaching 24 inches. Winds gusting up to 45 mph may result in blizzard conditions later Sunday into Monday morning. A glaze of ice is possible.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.
A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 4 PM CDT MONDAY FOR WOOD, PORTAGE & MARATHON COUNTIES
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. The snow will mix with or change over to sleet, freezing rain, and rain at times late Saturday night through Sunday evening. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 12 and 18 inches, and ice accumulations between one and two tenths of an inch. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph may result in considerable blowing and drifting snow and possible blizzard conditions Sunday night into Monday.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible with potential for whiteout conditions. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches and cause power outages. The Monday morning commute will be impacted.
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