Visibility quickly diminishes as Gov. Walker delivers his first State of the State address February 1, 2011. (PHOTO: Jackie Johnson)

Puddles of melted snow, sunshine, warm temps (depending on location) — it’s a far cry from one year ago in the Badger State. It’s being remembered as one of the biggest snow events in Wisconsin history, wreaking havoc in much of southern Wisconsin.

It was dubbed snowmaggedon, snowpocalypse, and a blizzaster. “Unfortunately we lost four lives in that blizzard.” Tod Pritchard with Wisconsin Emergency Management says it could have been worse, but emergency personnel acted early.

Governor Scott Walker declared a State of Emergency before the storm arrived, allowing the National Guard to get involved. Pritchard recalls cancelled flights, giant snowdrifts, impassable roads, wicked wind, and abandoned vehicles. “I think in Kenosha County alone there were like over 100 abandoned vehicles.”

Residents were strongly urged to stay put; snow plows couldn’t keep up with the piling precipitation, so they were pulled off the roads for a while; the DOT called some roads “totally impassable;” and Pritchard says even the troops in their large Humvees had difficulties reaching stranded motorists. “We were just … we were so fearful for the entire night when the major blizzard was hitting. We were so scared to death that we were not gonna be able to get to all the people that needed help.”

Some Sheriff’s deputies rode “shotgun” with snowplow drivers during the Ground hog Day blizzard, in order to respond to stranded motorists. Pritchard recalls tweeting alerts and posting information on facebook, likewise, his team learned a lot from people on the scene. He says “social media was just on fire” that night.

Cleanup on February 2nd after Madison got 18 1/2 inches of snow. (PHOTO: Jackie Johnson)

The storm dumped almost three feet of snow near Milwaukee, 22 inches in Racine, and 18 inches in Madison. Contrast that with unseasonably warm temperatures this week in the state. The National Weather Service says January 2012 will be ranked in the top 20 warmest for both Milwaukee and Madison. Forecasters blame La Nina.

NOTE: The snow event went on for several days. Light snow began on the last day of January. The snow really starting coming down on Wisconsin on the evening of February 1st during Governor Walker’s first State of the State address. The snow fell heavily overnight into February 2nd.

AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report

According to the National Weather Service, Gile had 29 inches as of two o’clock this morning – and it was still coming down. Six inches fell there in a five-hour period, and there was lots of blowing and drifting. Montreal in Iron County had 16 inches as of six o’clock. Hurley had 10 inches by the middle of last night.

County Emergency Management Director Stacy Ofstad says no emergency incidents were reported.

AUDIO:  Ofstad on dealing with snow conditions (:18)

Elsewhere in Wisconsin, the south and the Fox Valley seemed to be the hardest hit, with 3-to-4 inch totals reported in most other parts of the Badger State. Milwaukee had just over six inches, and Madison five. Janesville had drifts of one-and-a-half feet.

Lake effect snows are continuing today near Lake Superior, where warnings and advisories remain in effect until 10:00 a.m. and there’s a chance of more light snow in much of the state tomorrow.

Temperatures were in the teens and 20s this morning, but they could drop below zero in the north tonight. But a warming trend is expected later in the weekend. The mercury could get back above freezing by Sunday in west-central Wisconsin.

Madison snowplow (FILE PHOTO: Bob Hague)

Forecasters are saying the Badger State could see anywhere from three to 10 inches of snow going through early Friday. “I think this is going to be a really big shock to our system, right? We’ve had 53-degree temperatures for the last couple of days.” Tod Pritchard with Wisconsin Emergency Management says they will be ready. Also, the Department of Transportation has beefed up its 511 travel information system.

Meteorologist Paul Collar with the National Weather Service says we won’t get hammered all at once; it’s a “long duration snow event.” He says, “It’s not like it’s gonna come down with a lot of intensity; it’s gonna be more about the duration. There will be some periods of moderate snow and that but it will stretch from Thursday right into Friday.”

Collar says the area that will likely see the most snowfall will be the north western part of the state, near Lake Superior, followed by the far eastern area. Green Bay, Sheboygan, Milwaukee could get four to seven inches. The unseasonably warm temperatures are about to change. “There will be cold air in place and this will all be snow and the salt may not be real efficient at helping to melt the snow on the roads, so there may be some tricky travel.”

Of course, there are plenty of people who welcome this winter precipitation — anyone who relies on snow for their business, including snow plow drivers.

The DOT has added regional Twitter feeds and facebook accounts to put out snow and travel information. Motorists can call 511, or go on-line. Users can also get text message alerts. ReadyWisconsin also offers Twitter feeds and facebook alerts.

AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 1:39

The state Department of Natural Resources says three people in the state have died in the last week after falling through thin ice and drowning, including the son of a Green Bay Packer’s coach in Oshkosh over the weekend.

Patrick Moes with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the current warm weather across the upper Midwest means ice conditions are just unsafe in a lot of areas.

Moes says anyone planning to walk out on a seemingly frozen lake should think twice, since most frozen waterways cannot support the weight of a person right now. While temperatures have dropped below freezing overnight, highs in the 30s and 40s during the day and sunny weather has made most ice sheets fragile.

Moes says there needs to be at least several days in a row of solid sub-freezing temperatures before the ice is thick enough. Even then, he says safety should remain a concern with people encouraged to use ropes or carry ice picks just in case they fall through the ice. Moes says you should also make sure someone knows where you will be if you plan to be out.

Moes says catching a fish or skating right now is not worth putting your life in danger.

AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (1:13)

Groundhog Day blizzard (PHOTO: Jackie Johnson)

Tod Pritchard at Wisconsin Emergency Management says perhaps the biggest weather event in the Badger State this past year was the Groundhog Day blizzard that started the afternoon of February 1st and continued into the next morning. “I think that’s one of the events that I always find everyone remembers exactly what they were doing on that day and how they made it through that day.”

Many motorists were stranded and one person died, but Pritchard says it could have been much worse. Snow accumulations ranged from 12 to 26 inches. Many roads were totally impassable, including portions of the interstate, with massive snow drifts of up to 12 to 15 feet in some locations and zero visibility.

Pritchard says another highlight was the tremendous tornado outbreak across the state. “You know the April 10th outbreak was really big. It’s gonna be the biggest daily April tornado outbreak in Wisconsin history. We had 15 tornadoes; several of them were very strong, very powerful.” In 2011, 38 tornadoes were documented, making the year the 3rd busiest on record. Wisconsin averages 23 per year.

In total for the year, nine people were killed directly by weather events, and at least 124 injured. Excessive heat was the biggest killer. “We had five deaths due to the heat wave; we had over 100 injuries, but it could have been much, much worse.”

A four-day heat wave affected the state in mid-July with heat index values of 100 to 117. The warmest temp was 103; the coldest was minus 37. Total reported property and crop losses were approximately $104 million. Residents also felt the effects of an earthquake that originated in DC, and some folks witnessed waterspouts on area lakes.

Check out ReadyWisconsin for all kinds of preparedness information and to take a look back on the year’s events.  Total fatalities for the year directly related to the weather came to nine with 124 total injuries. The breakdown shows one death was due to the blizzard; five from the heat; one from lightning; one from a tornado; and one from a thunderstorm. The coldest temperature got down to -37 degrees (F) at Ladysmith 3SW (Rusk Co.) on January 22nd. The warmest temp was 103 at Ft. Atkinson on July 20th.

AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 2:03

If the heat goes out, for whatever reason, there is no state law that lays out a specific time the landlord must address the problem. However most building inspectors agree the response should happen within 24 hours.

If the property owner is not living up their obligations, Konkel suggests contacting the city to complain.

If the tenant is responsible for shoveling the walk, Konkel suggests keeping an eye on the news to anticipate the weather.

Wisconsin Emergency Management and the National Weather Service are reminding people about winter driving, frozen lakes, and avoiding carbon monoxide leaks. It’s also a good idea to have a weather radio and know the jargon. A watch means the potential exists for the development of severe weather. A warning means severe weather is occurring or is imminent.

Pritchard says an emergency kit with the basics can sustain your life until help arrives, including a blanket, water, protein snacks, and a shovel. He says you never know when you — and your would-be rescuers — will be stranded, such as in the Groundhog Day blizzard earlier this year. “You never know when you might have to be in your car for several hours either before help can get to you or you can get to where you’re going.”

Motorists should have at least a half a tank of gas at all times. Pritchard says there are about 60 deaths each winter on the roads, 20,000 crashes, and 6,000 injuries.

Call 511 anytime to get information on road conditions before hitting the highway, or visit 511wi.gov. A total snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches is possible in some areas north of Wausau.

This week (November 7th-11th) is Winter Awareness Week. NASCAR champion and Cambridge-native Matt Kenseth is teaming up with ReadyWisconsin to raise awareness. For more information on preparedness and emergency kids, visit ReadyWisconsin.wi.gov

AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 1:42

Other things to keep in your car:
-a shovel
-windshield scraper and small broom
-flashlight with extra batteries
-battery powered radio
-water
-snack food including energy bars, raisins and mini candy bars
-matches and small candles
-extra hats, socks and mittens
-First aid kit with pocket knife
-Necessary medications
-blankets or sleeping bag
-tow chain or rope
-road salt, sand, or cat litter for traction
-booster cables, emergency flares and reflectors
-fluorescent distress flag and whistle to attract attention

Millions are scrambling without power on the east coast after a rare October snowstorm brought more than two feet of snowfall in some areas. Wisconsin Emergency Management‘s Tod Pritchard says now is the time for the rest of us to make a plan for the inevitable. “When you’re in the middle of the storm is the worst time to think about how to get ready for the storm because you’re already too late.”

Pritchard says you should have an emergency kit with nonperishable food, water, batteries, flashlight, and other necessary items so you don’t have to drive on the snow-covered, icy roads. On average, 60 people are killed and 6,000 injured on Wisconsin roads each winter.

Pritchard says, stay home, stay safe and stay warm. “The biggest thing we want to urge folks is that if you do use some sort of alternative heating source to make sure it’s meant to be used the way you’re using it; if you’re using some alternative heating source inside, make sure it’s for indoor use only.”

Carbon monoxide can rise to deadly levels indoors with the misuse of alternative heating units. It’s also a good idea to make note of names and locations of emergency shelters you might need to keep warm, and think about friends and family who might be able to offer a warm place to stay.

In addition to an emergency kit and an alternative heat source, communication is vital. Pritchard says a battery-powered or crank radio is a great tool to keep you informed during emergency situations. Visit ReadyWisconsin for more preparedness tips.

AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 1:31

The counties of Polk, Burnett and Washburn are especially at risk. On Monday the fire danger rating in the counties went to “very high,” today they are at “high.”

DNR forestry team leader Bob Hartshorn says there was a fraction of an inch of rain last night but more precipitation is needed to counter the dry conditions.

For the time being no fires are being allowed in the region even for those who possess burning permits.

The agency is also cautioning people to ensure that hot mufflers on ATVs and other back wood vehicles do not come into contact with dry grass or combustible materials, to make sure all smoking materials are extinguished, and to slurry fireplace wood ashes with water before disposal.