Why Has The 2018-19 Wisconsin Winter Been So Bad?

MILWAUKEE, WI — As more snow, sleet, rain and high winds roar into southeastern Wisconsin this weekend, one wonders whether the winter weather will ever stop.

The winter of 2018 has already seen record precipitation and record cold thanks to two polar vortex incidents. Throw in some unusually high temps and high winds and you have the makings of an all-time Wisconsin winter.

But why?

According to Climate Signals, a nonprofit science information project, it comes down to climate change.

“North America is the only place on Earth experiencing far-below-normal temperatures. Much more common are areas that are much warmer than normal, particularly in high northern latitudes," Woods Hole Research Center Senior Scientist Jennifer Francis, said in reference to the recent cold blast.

The last week in January was the state's biggest chill. Morning lows on Jan. 30 ranged -20 to -30 degrees with afternoon highs climbing to a meager -10 to -17 degrees. The record low temperature in Milwaukee is -24 and was set 1951. According to historical data from the National Weather Service, the record minimum wind chill at Milwaukee is -56 was set on Jan. 10, 1982.

"This winter has been an example of how climate change can disrupt regional patterns, dragging colder air further south and bringing warmer air further north," Francis said. "Climate change doesn’t mean cold air doesn’t exist. In a balanced climate, there are an equal number of record hot days to record cold days. However, we are seeing record hot days outpace record cold days by a 2 to 1 margin and the past four years have been the hottest on record for the globe. In addition, there hasn’t been a cooler-than-average year in three decades."

More Snow, Wintry Mix And High Winds This Weekend

According to the National Weather Service, a wintry mix of rain, sleet and snow is expected to affect southern Wisconsin, mainly Saturday afternoon and night. The wintry mix will turn to mostly rain across southeast Wisconsin, while persisting in parts of south central and east central Wisconsin.

The wintry mix will transition to mainly snow later Saturday night into early Sunday. At this time, snowfall of 1 to 3 inches is possible along and north of a line from Mineral Point to Madison to Mequon, with the highest totals towards Reedsburg, Berlin, Portage, Fond du Lac and Westfield. Weather officials say there is the potential for the storm to push further south, creating a wintry mix of sleet and rain for the area.

In addition, strong east winds may gust to 30 to 40 mph on Saturday and Saturday evening. Strong west to southwest winds may gust to 30 to 40 mph later Saturday night and Sunday. The wet snow will reduce any blowing and drifting threat.

Don't like reading? Have Frankie McDonald, also known as Frankie The Weather Guy, deliver this weekend's forecast:

Climate Signals is a science information project of Climate Nexus, a non profit organization under the fiscal sponsorship of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, a 501(c)3 organization.