WI Weather: Winter Storm Watch In 9 WI Counties

MILWAUKEE, WI -- A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for nine Wisconsin counties that the National Weather Service says could deposit up to nine inches of snow in the area before all is said and done.

According to the National Weather Service, the Winter Storm Watch has been issued in Southeastern Wisconsin for Ozaukeee, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Walworth, Racine and Kenosha Counties. Snow will begin spreading across southern Wisconsin Friday afternoon, continue through Friday night, then taper off quickly from west to east over inland areas by Saturday morning.

However, due to lake effect snowfall kicking in, we should see the snow continue across the far southeast through Saturday night.

Travelers should be aware that higher snowfall amounts will occur south and west of Wisconsin, so if you`re heading into those regions, be prepared for slow and difficult conditions.

Snow amounts of around 6 inches are expected in the Winter Storm Watch area, with amounts diminishing quickly to the north. Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties could see 6 to 9 inches,
due to the lake effect. Brisk northeast winds of 15 to 20 miles per hour will cause some blowing and drifting snow.

Detailed Forecast from the NOAA

Friday
A 20 percent chance of snow after 5 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 25. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon.

Friday Night
Snow, mainly after 7 p.m. Patchy blowing snow before midnight, then patchy blowing snow after 2 a.m. Low around 22. Northeast wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 miles per hour. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Saturday
Snow. Patchy blowing snow before 1 p.m, then patchy blowing snow after 4 p.m. High near 24. Blustery, with a northeast wind 15 to 20 miles per hour, with gusts as high as 30 miles per hour. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Saturday Night
Snow likely, mainly before 7 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9. Blustery, with a north wind 15 to 20 miles per hour, with gusts as high as 30 miles per hour. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

NOAA Sullivan Graphics