Alert archive / Wisconsin / Winter Storm Watches in 2021

Winter Storm Watch 3, NWS La Crosse, WI

February 2, 202113 counties in Wisconsin; 7 counties in Minnesota; 8 counties in Iowa

NWS La Crosse, WI issued this winter storm watch at Feb 2, 2021, 2:29 PM CST for 13 counties in Wisconsin; 7 counties in Minnesota; 8 counties in Iowa. It took effect at Feb 4, 2021, 3:00 AM CST. It was in force for .

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Feb 2, 2021, 2:29 PM CST (20:29 UTC)
In effect from
Feb 4, 2021, 3:00 AM CST
Expired
Feb 3, 2021, 1:53 PM CST
In force
Issued by
NWS La Crosse, WI
All 28 counties

Allamakee County, IA, Chickasaw County, IA, Clayton County, IA, Fayette County, IA, Floyd County, IA, Howard County, IA, Mitchell County, IA, Winneshiek County, IA, Dodge County, MN, Fillmore County, MN, Houston County, MN, Mower County, MN, Olmsted County, MN, Wabasha County, MN, Winona County, MN, Adams County, WI, Buffalo County, WI, Clark County, WI, Crawford County, WI, Grant County, WI, Jackson County, WI, Juneau County, WI, La Crosse County, WI, Monroe County, WI, Richland County, WI, Taylor County, WI, Trempealeau County, WI, Vernon County, WI

The radar

The La Crosse radar (KARX), 27 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:34 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 8.5 hours before the alert went out and 210 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Minneapolis, MN at 12:00Z on 2021-02-02Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Minneapolis, MN at 12:00Z on 2021-02-02The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 51 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
809 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
49 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
51 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
108 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

111 
WWUS43 KARX 022029
WSWARX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
229 PM CST Tue Feb 2 2021

...Snow And Wind...Late Wed Night Thru Thu Night...

.Snow will spread across the area overnight Wednesday, persisting
through Thursday night. The bulk of the snow will fall during the
day Thursday. A brief period of a wintry mix is possible at the 
onset of precipitation. Winds will then ramp up for Thursday 
night, and some blowing and drifting snow could occur in open 
areas. 

There are uncertainties on storm strength, which will influence 
how much snow could fall. Anticipate adjustments to forecast
amounts as details are refined.

Impacts to travel should be planned for, including the morning and
evening commutes Thursday. 

WIZ017-029-030430-
/O.NEW.KARX.WS.A.0003.210204T0900Z-210205T1200Z/
Taylor-Clark-
Including the cities of Medford and Neillsville
229 PM CST Tue Feb 2 2021

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH
LATE THURSDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Potential accumulations of 4 to 6
  inches. Patchy blowing and drifting snow Thursday night.

* WHERE...Taylor and Clark Counties.

* WHEN...From late Wednesday night through late Thursday night.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow
  could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions
  could impact the morning and evening commute.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$

Rieck
4 follow-up statements
808 
WWUS43 KARX 022109 CCA
WSWARX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE...CORRECTED
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
309 PM CST Tue Feb 2 2021

...Snow And Wind...Late Wed Night Thru Thu Night...

.Snow will spread across the area overnight Wednesday, persisting
through Thursday night. The bulk of the snow will fall during the
day Thursday. A brief period of a wintry mix is possible at the 
onset of precipitation. Winds will then ramp up for Thursday 
night, and some blowing and drifting snow could occur in open 
areas. 

There are uncertainties on storm strength, which will influence 
how much snow could fall. Anticipate adjustments to forecast
amounts as details are refined.

Impacts to travel should be planned for, including the morning and
evening commutes Thursday. 

WIZ017-029-030430-
/O.COR.KARX.WS.A.0003.210204T0900Z-210205T1200Z/
Taylor-Clark-
Including the cities of Medford and Neillsville
309 PM CST Tue Feb 2 2021

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH
LATE THURSDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Potential accumulations of 4 to 8
  inches. Patchy blowing and drifting snow Thursday night.

* WHERE...Taylor and Clark Counties.

* WHEN...From late Wednesday night through late Thursday night.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow
  could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions
  could impact the morning and evening commute.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$

Rieck
324 
WWUS43 KARX 030314
WSWARX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
914 PM CST Tue Feb 2 2021

...Snowy and Becoming Windy Wed Night Into Thu Night...

.Snow will spread into the area Wednesday night, increasing in 
coverage on Thursday before tapering off Thursday night. A brief
period of wintry mix is possible at the onset of precipitation,
otherwise the bulk of the snow will fall during the day Thursday.
Northwest winds will then ramp up Thursday night with gusts to 35
mph possible. This may lead to some blowing and drifting snow in 
open areas.

There are uncertainties on storm strength, which will influence
how much snow could fall. Anticipate adjustments to forecast
amounts as details are refined.

Impacts to travel should be planned for, including the morning
and evening commutes Thursday.

WIZ017-029-031200-
/O.CON.KARX.WS.A.0003.210204T0900Z-210205T1200Z/
Taylor-Clark-
Including the cities of Medford and Neillsville
914 PM CST Tue Feb 2 2021

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT
THROUGH LATE THURSDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Potential accumulations of 4 to 8
  inches. Patchy blowing and drifting snow Thursday night.

* WHERE...Clark and Taylor Counties.

* WHEN...From late Wednesday night through late Thursday night.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow
  could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions
  could impact the morning and evening commutes on Thursday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$

Kurz
265 
WWUS43 KARX 030930
WSWARX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
330 AM CST Wed Feb 3 2021

...Snow with Possible Blizzard Conditions Thursday and Thursday 
Night...

.A wintry mix or rain will will spread into the area late Wednesday
night or Thursday morning, changing to all snow by noon Thursday. 
The bulk of the snow will fall during the day Thursday and travel
conditions will deteriorate rapidly. Northwest winds will then 
ramp up Thursday afternoon with gusts in the 30 to 40 mph range into
the overnight. This could cause blizzard conditions across 
southeast Minnesota, northeast Iowa, and far southwest Wisconsin. 
Drifting snow will be found areawide. 

Travel could become dangerous in some areas later Thursday 
afternoon into the overnight. 

There are uncertainties on storm strength, which will influence 
how much snow could fall. Anticipate adjustments to forecast 
amounts as details are refined.

MNZ079-088-096-WIZ032-033-041-053>055-031830-
/O.EXB.KARX.WS.A.0003.210204T1200Z-210205T1200Z/
Wabasha-Winona-Houston-Buffalo-Trempealeau-La Crosse-Vernon-
Crawford-Richland-
Including the cities of Wabasha, Winona, Caledonia, Alma, 
Arcadia, Whitehall, La Crosse, Viroqua, Prairie Du Chien, 
and Richland Center
330 AM CST Wed Feb 3 2021

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH
LATE THURSDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Heavy wet snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 3 to
  7 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph causing
  blowing and drifting snow. 

* WHERE...Portions of southwest and west central Wisconsin and 
  southeast Minnesota.

* WHEN...From Thursday morning through late Thursday night.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow
  could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions
  could impact the morning and evening commutes on Thursday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$

IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030-MNZ086-087-094-095-WIZ061-031830-
/O.EXB.KARX.WS.A.0003.210204T1200Z-210205T1200Z/
Mitchell-Howard-Winneshiek-Allamakee-Floyd-Chickasaw-Fayette-
Clayton-Dodge-Olmsted-Mower-Fillmore-Grant-
Including the cities of Osage, Cresco, Decorah, Waukon, 
Charles City, New Hampton, Oelwein, Elkader, Dodge Center, 
Rochester, Austin, Preston, and Platteville
330 AM CST Wed Feb 3 2021

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH
LATE THURSDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions possible. Total snow accumulations of
  2 to 6 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.

* WHERE...Portions of southwest Wisconsin, northeast Iowa and 
  southeast Minnesota.

* WHEN...From Thursday morning through late Thursday night.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Whiteout conditions
  may occur, severely impacting travel due to blowing snow and
  significantly reduced visibility. The hazardous conditions 
  could impact the morning and evening commutes on Thursday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Prepare for possible blizzard conditions. Continue to monitor the
latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$

WIZ034-042>044-031830-
/O.EXA.KARX.WS.A.0003.210204T0900Z-210205T1200Z/
Jackson-Monroe-Juneau-Adams-
Including the cities of Black River Falls, Sparta, Tomah, 
Mauston, and Friendship
330 AM CST Wed Feb 3 2021

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH LATE
THURSDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Total snow
  accumulations of 4 to 8 inches and ice accumulations of a light
  glaze possible. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...Jackson, Monroe, Juneau and Adams Counties.

* WHEN...From late Wednesday night through late Thursday night.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing 
  snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous 
  conditions could impact the morning and evening commutes on 
  Thursday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$

WIZ017-029-031830-
/O.CON.KARX.WS.A.0003.210204T0900Z-210205T1200Z/
Taylor-Clark-
Including the cities of Medford and Neillsville
330 AM CST Wed Feb 3 2021

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH
LATE THURSDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Potential accumulations of 5 to 9
  inches. Patchy blowing and drifting snow Thursday night with
  winds gusting to 30 mph. 

* WHERE...Clark and Taylor Counties.

* WHEN...From late Wednesday night through late Thursday night.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing 
  snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous 
  conditions could impact the morning and evening commutes on 
  Thursday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$
Baumgardt/04
935 
WWUS43 KARX 031953
WSWARX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service La Crosse WI
153 PM CST Wed Feb 3 2021

...Snow, Wind, Impacts To Travel Thursday and Thursday Night...

.A wintry mix or rain will slide across the area late tonight,
transitioning to snow by early morning. The snow will quickly push
east northeast through the day, gradually exiting across the
northern Great Lakes by late evening. 

A few inches of snow are expected, with the higher amounts across
Wisconsin. The bulk will fall during the day Thursday. In
addition, a light icing cannot be ruled out for the Thursday morning
commute thanks to that wintry mix. 

In addition, winds will be on the increase Thursday afternoon, 
staying strong and gusty through Thursday night. Gusts from 30 to
40 mph are anticipated. Areas of blowing and drifting snow will 
result. A short period of ground blizzard conditions are possible 
across the wind prone, open areas of southeast Minnesota and 
northeast Iowa, with this threat centered on the afternoon to 
early evening hours. 

Travel could become dangerous in some areas later Thursday 
afternoon into the overnight.

IAZ008>010-018-019-029-MNZ086-087-094-095-040400-
/O.UPG.KARX.WS.A.0003.210204T1200Z-210205T1200Z/
/O.NEW.KARX.WW.Y.0006.210204T0900Z-210205T0600Z/
Mitchell-Howard-Winneshiek-Floyd-Chickasaw-Fayette-Dodge-Olmsted-
Mower-Fillmore-
Including the cities of Osage, Cresco, Decorah, Charles City, 
New Hampton, Oelwein, Dodge Center, Rochester, Austin, 
and Preston
153 PM CST Wed Feb 3 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM THURSDAY TO
MIDNIGHT CST THURSDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Accumulations of 1 to 3 inches. Winds 
  gusting as high as 40 mph. Drifting and blowing snow.

* WHERE...Portions of north central and northeast Iowa and 
  southeast Minnesota.

* WHEN...From 3 AM Thursday to midnight CST Thursday night.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Blowing snow could
  significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will
  impact the morning and evening commute.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. 

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

IAZ011-030-MNZ079-088-096-WIZ032-033-041-053>055-061-040400-
/O.UPG.KARX.WS.A.0003.210204T1200Z-210205T1200Z/
/O.NEW.KARX.WW.Y.0006.210204T0900Z-210205T0600Z/
Allamakee-Clayton-Wabasha-Winona-Houston-Buffalo-Trempealeau-
La Crosse-Vernon-Crawford-Richland-Grant-
Including the cities of Waukon, Elkader, Wabasha, Winona, 
Caledonia, Alma, Arcadia, Whitehall, La Crosse, Viroqua, 
Prairie Du Chien, Richland Center, and Platteville
153 PM CST Wed Feb 3 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM THURSDAY TO
MIDNIGHT CST THURSDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Accumulations of 2 to 4 inches. Winds
  gusting as high as 35 mph. Patchy blowing and drifting.

* WHERE...Portions of southwest and west central Wisconsin, 
  northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota.

* WHEN...From 3 AM Thursday to midnight CST Thursday night.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow
  could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions
  could impact the morning and evening commute.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. 

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

WIZ017-029-034-042>044-040400-
/O.UPG.KARX.WS.A.0003.210204T0900Z-210205T1200Z/
/O.NEW.KARX.WW.Y.0006.210204T0900Z-210205T0600Z/
Taylor-Clark-Jackson-Monroe-Juneau-Adams-
Including the cities of Medford, Neillsville, Black River Falls, 
Sparta, Tomah, Mauston, and Friendship
153 PM CST Wed Feb 3 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM THURSDAY TO
MIDNIGHT CST THURSDAY NIGHT...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches.
  Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. Patchy blowing and drifting
  snow.

* WHERE...Portions of west central Wisconsin.

* WHEN...From 3 AM Thursday to midnight CST Thursday night.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow
  could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions
  could impact the morning and evening commute.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. 

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

Rieck

Nearby

Winter Storm Watches in Wisconsin, 2021Winter Storm Watches in Iowa, 2021Winter Storm Watches in Minnesota, 2021Every winter storm watch in 2021

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.