Heavy equipment removes snow in Madison
dumped up to 17 inches of snow on some locations, and that knocked out power to thousands of households.
According to the NWS, the heaviest band of snow fell north of La Crosse into the Winona, Minnesota area, southward through La Crosse and into northeast Iowa to near Oelwein. As the storm system approached, it also strengthened producing strong northwest winds that gusted to 45 mph at times leading to significant drifting and blowing snow. Visibility were reduced to near zero, especially in open and higher terrain where blizzard conditions prevailed.
Snowfall amounts included 17 inches at French Island in La Crosse, and 16.8 inches two miles south of the city. Also in La Crosse County, Holmen recorded 15.5 inches. Locations in Buffalo, Crawford, Grant, Jackson, and Monroe Counties all reported amounts of 14 to 14.5 inches, and a television station in Madison reported 14.9 inches.
Thursday morning saw frigid temperatures just above or below zero statewide, with windchill factors in the teens below zero. Residents are urged to take adequate precautions to deal with the cold temperatures. As of Wednesday night, all roadways were passable, but there are many snow-covered and slippery spots. Many counties were pulling trucks from secondary roads early Wednesday evening to give plow drivers a rest. Commuters in Madison, Metro Milwaukee and the Fox Valley found slow going on their way into work Thursday morning. School resumed for students statewide as well, after most districts closed on Wednesday.