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Winter Storm Warning: National Weather Service warns of storms this week as some schools close

National Weather Service

Updated 12/14/22 8:00 AM: The Wisconsin DOT isreporting ice-covered roads across the Northwoods Wednesday morning. Slippery stretches are being reported in Central Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin DOT is urging drivers to give themselves extra on the roads this morning.

As the icy portion of this storm tappers off this morning, the National Weather Service has upgraded most counties in the area to a Winter Storm Warning. It's in effect from noon Wednesday until 9:00 a.m. Thursday.

Up to 12 inches of snow and gusts up to 40 mph are expected with the storm system that will move in Wednesday evening.

Original Post: The National Weather Service is warning people to be prepared for the first major snowstorm of the season.

Snow, sleet, and freezing rain are all in the forecast for the next 24-36 hours.

The storm will come in two phases.

Overnight Tuesday, our region saw some ice accumulation.

Marathon and southern Langlade and Lincoln Counties saw the most ice.

Some schools closed as a result. You can find a list of closings at the bottom of this story.

“We’re going to have pretty strong wind speeds throughout this event, 25-35 mph winds. These will be from the east. That in itself on a normal day will create some travel issues, but then throw on the winter weather and the ice to this, and certainly not going to help manners out,” said Cort Kotenberg with the National Weather Service Green Bay. “It’s something to be aware of. This is not going to be that snow globe snow. We’re going to have some winds going on with this.”

The freezing rain and sleet should taper off early Wednesday morning.

During the day Wednesday may be on the quieter side before heavy snow moves late Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

National Weather Service

The Northwoods is expected to get at least 2 to 4 inches, with 8 to 12 inches likely.

“That’s looking like a pretty solid bet. I wouldn’t be surprised if somewhere near Antigo, Crivitz, somewhere in there we see a 15-inch number go up. Wabeno, somewhere in there that will get a localized 15-inch report,” said Kotenberg.

The snow should start to taper off by mid-Thursday morning.

It is expected to be wet, heavy snow.

“Make sure that people take it easy if they’re shoveling. Lots of heart attacks occur while shoveling,” said Kotenberg. “Hospitals are stressed right now. They have been stressed in Northeast Wisconsin for some time. So obviously the less impact we can have on them the better.”

You can find the National Weather Service forecast for where you live here.

School Closings Wednesday:

Merrill School District: Closed Today; No afternoon or evening activities

Northcentral Technical College: Closed Today; Virtual Learning Day

Prentice School District: Closed Today

Tomahawk School District: Closed Today

Wausau Public Schools: Virtual Learning Day; No afternoon or evening activities

Katie Thoresen is WXPR's News Director/Vice President.
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