WRN file photo
The first major winter storm of the season is causing problems across central and northern Wisconsin. By the time it passes, there could be over a foot of snow on the ground in some areas.
Tod Pritchard with Wisconsin Emergency Management says the heaviest snow fall is expected in northwestern parts of the state, while central Wisconsin may see over a foot of snow by the time the storm pass through Tuesday night. Southern Wisconsin is expected to see only light snow, mixed with rain.
Pritchard says the biggest concern right now is road conditions. He says the state is urging anyone who lives in the area, or has plans to travel there, to reconsider heading out. While road crews are out working, Pritchard says the snow could fall at a rate of an inch an hour in some places, making it difficult for them to keep up. He says “the roads will get worse, not better, for the next 36 hours.”
The snow has already resulted in slippery conditions and cause a number of vehicle crashes and slide offs. In Outagamie County, sheriff’s officials say a school bus slid off the road and overturned because of the snow. The bus was carrying four kindergarteners, a high school student, an aide, and the driver. None of the students were injured, but the driver and aide were taken to a hospital in New London for treatment.