An area of low pressure moved from the Central Plains to Lower Michigan. This resulted in a prolonged period of light to moderate snow across much of the region.
Every event with a place to put it; 16 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS GRB wrote it up.
An area of low pressure moved from the Central Plains to Lower Michigan. This resulted in a prolonged period of light to moderate snow across much of the region. Totals approaching a foot were measured near Lake Michigan as lake-effect bands moved onshore. The highest totals from the storm included: 13.0 inches at Sturgeon Bay (Door Co.), 11.5 inches near Ephraim (Door Co.), 11.1 inches at Two Rivers (Manitowoc Co.), 11.0 inches at Chilton (Calumet Co.), and 10.8 inches at Washington Island (Door Co.). Some other high totals included 9.7 inches at Kewaunee (Kewaunee Co.), 9.5 inches near Oshkosh (Winnebago Co.), and 8.0 inches in Brillion (Calumet Co.).
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Green Bay, WI wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 16, 2:22 PM CST, 38 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Green Bay WI 222 PM CST Fri Dec 16 2016 Forecast discussion for routine afternoon forecast issuance .SHORT TERM...Tonight and Saturday Issued at 221 PM CST Fri Dec 16 2016 Although the persistent frontogenetic bands of snow have weakened, pockets of light snow continued across the region early this afternoon. The regional radar mosaic showed a much larger band of moderate snow organizing over southern MN and far northern IA, and building toward central WI. This matches quite well with the latest meso-model runs, which show snow rapidly increasing across the southern two-thirds of GRB CWA between 3 pm and 6 pm. Have not made any changes to the headlines, and have focused mainly on mesoscale changes, which will have some minor impacts on snowfall totals. We are expecting two main periods of heavier snow; across the entire area late this afternoon through about 3 am tonight (WAA and a short-wave trof), and over the southeast half of the forecast area late Saturday morning and afternoon (upper jet, frontogenetic forcing and a short-wave trof). The main change to the forecast was to bump up snowfall totals along the Lake Michigan shoreline, as southeast winds will cause some lake enhancement this evening and into the early overnight hours. Radar is already showing evidence of a lake-effect band over central Lake Michigan, and this was shifting northwest toward the shoreline. Models all show a sharp inverted trof setting up along the shoreline overnight, which will enhance convergence. Have boosted snowfall totals to 12 to 14 inches on the lakeshore, with most of the extra snow falling tonight. Gusty northwest winds will cause blowing and drifting snow to develop Saturday afternoon as a reinforcing shot of arctic air arrives. The blowing snow will be prevalent in any open areas across northern WI (where snow will be powdery) and in the Fox Valley and lakeshore areas (where winds will be strongest). .LONG TERM...Saturday Night Through Friday Issued at 221 PM CST Fri Dec 16 2016 The latest gfs ensemble mean continues to indicate a deamplification of the upper air pattern across North America next week. This should lead to a modification of temperatures though models also depict a few fast moving clippers will impact the region. Until this occurs, focus of this forecast centers around the impacts related to the exiting winter storm and the bitter cold through Monday. Saturday night thru Sunday night...Low pressure will be exiting the region early Saturday night. However, the upper trough will still be moving into the area, and progged soundings indicate enough saturation that light snow should be ongoing across much of the area at the start of the evening. The snow should be ending from west to east through the evening though, perhaps lingering over the Door into the early overnight for a couple hours. Up to an inch of additional accumulations will be possible over eastern WI, and possibly 1-2 inches in the snow belt of Vilas county. At the same time and perhaps of bigger concern, gusty north to northwest winds to 30 mph will be blowing the freshly fallen, light and fluffy snow around, reducing visibility, and keeping roadways hazardous. East/west orientated roads will be the most impacted. Will leave end times of the winter storm warning as they are, but potential is there for an extension thru 12z Sun over eastern WI due to the blowing snow. In addition to the snow and wind, another shot of bitterly cold arctic air will be moving into the region late Saturday night into Sunday despite the decreasing cloud trend. Combined with the wind, wind chills will be falling to 20 to 30 below west of the Lakeshore by early Sunday morning. The very cold wind chills will not rise much during the day on Sunday, before falling to 25 to 35 below again on Sunday night. Widespread wind chill headlines will be likely during this time. Rest of the forecast...After a frigid start, temperatures will begin moderating on Monday thanks to a breezy southwest wind. This warming temp trend will continue through midweek, but models are now suggesting fast moving clippers will provide periodic light snow chances on Tue and Wed. Accumulations look minor at this time, with better chances over northern WI than central parts of the state. Yet another system could arrive towards the end of the next work week. After the warm up, temps will remain near normal through Friday. && .AVIATION...for 18Z TAF Issuance Issued at 1128 AM CST Fri Dec 16 2016 Banded light snow should weaken a bit early this afternoon, but heavier snow is expected to arrive between 3 pm and 5 pm. Expecting two main periods of heavier snow with the winter storm...one from 21z/Fri to 09z/Sat...and another from 14z/Sat to 00z Sun. Expect a lull, with some temporary improvement in flight conditions late tonight into early Saturday morning. During the heavy snow, flight conditions should drop into the LIFR category. && .GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Storm Warning until midnight CST Saturday night FOR WIZ005-010>013-018>022-030-031-035>040-045-048>050-073-074. && SHORT TERM.....Kieckbusch LONG TERM......MPC AVIATION.......Kieckbusch
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREEN BAY WI 244 PM CST FRI DEC 16 2016 WIZ005-010>013-018>022-030-031-035>040-045-048>050-073-074-172045- VILAS-ONEIDA-FOREST-FLORENCE-NORTHERN MARINETTE COUNTY-LINCOLN- LANGLADE-MENOMINEE-NORTHERN OCONTO COUNTY-DOOR-MARATHON-SHAWANO- WOOD-PORTAGE-WAUPACA-OUTAGAMIE-BROWN-KEWAUNEE-WAUSHARA-WINNEBAGO- CALUMET-MANITOWOC-SOUTHERN MARINETTE COUNTY- SOUTHERN OCONTO COUNTY- 244 PM CST FRI DEC 16 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH-CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST WISCONSIN. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT HAZARDOUS TRAVEL IS EXPECTED TONIGHT AS A SIGNIFICANT WINTER STORM TRACKS FROM THE CENTRAL PLAINS TOWARD THE GREAT LAKES REGION. PERIODS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW ARE ANTICIPATED. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH FRIDAY HAZARDOUS TRAVEL IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE ON SATURDAY INTO SATURDAY EVENING AS A STRONG WINTER STORM MOVES ACROSS THE GREAT LAKES REGION. THE SNOW MAY BE HEAVY AT TIMES ON SATURDAY. BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW IS ALSO ANTICIPATED SATURDAY AFTERNOON INTO SATURDAY NIGHT. THE SNOW IS EXPECTED TO TAPER OFF AT MOST LOCATIONS SATURDAY EVENING. MUCH OF THE AREA SHOULD RECEIVE 8 TO 12 INCHES OF SNOW BY SATURDAY EVENING. LOCALLY HIGHER TOTALS ARE POSSIBLE ALONG THE LAKE MICHIGAN SHORELINE. ANYONE WITH TRAVEL PLANS SATURDAY INTO SATURDAY NIGHT SHOULD MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS AND STATEMENTS CONCERNING THIS WINTER STORM. HAZARDOUS TRAVEL IS STILL POSSIBLE AT TIMES SUNDAY INTO MONDAY AS GUSTY WEST WINDS WILL BE ON THE INCREASE, CAUSING SOME ADDITIONAL BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE NEW SNOW AND CREATING SLICK ROADS. OCCASIONAL LIGHT SNOW CHANCES WILL RETURN ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... SPOTTERS ARE REQUESTED TO REPORT SNOWFALL AMOUNTS TODAY AND SATURDAY. LMZ521-522-541>543-172045- THE BAY OF GREEN BAY SOUTH OF A LINE FROM CEDAR RIVER MI TO ROCK ISLAND PASSAGE-LAKE MICHIGAN FROM WASHINGTON ISLAND TO SHEBOYGAN- 244 PM CST FRI DEC 16 2016 THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHWEST LAKE MICHIGAN AND THE WATERS OF GREEN BAY. .DAY ONE...TONIGHT THE PROBABILITY FOR WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS LOW. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH FRIDAY THERE IS INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR FREEZING SPRAY SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY. THERE IS A CHANCE OF GALE FORCE GUSTS ON MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY AS A RESULT OF GUSTY SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS. KIECKBUSCH/MPC
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Green Bay WI 918 AM CST Fri Dec 16 2016 WIZ010-018>022-030-031-035>040-045-048>050-073-074-161830- Oneida-Lincoln-Langlade-Menominee-Northern Oconto County-Door- Marathon-Shawano-Wood-Portage-Waupaca-Outagamie-Brown-Kewaunee- Waushara-Winnebago-Calumet-Manitowoc-Southern Marinette County- Southern Oconto County- 918 AM CST Fri Dec 16 2016 ...LIGHT SNOW WILL CREATE HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS THIS MORNING... Light snow continues to fall across much of central, east central and northeast Wisconsin this morning. Although accumulations have been light and generally under an inch, there has been enough to produce snow covered and slippery stretches on areas roads. There have been reports of cars sliding off the roads in central Wisconsin, and similar conditions may develop farther north and east as the morning progresses. The snow is expected to gradually taper off in the late morning and early afternoon, but will quickly intensify again as a significant winter storm arrives later this afternoon. Look for road conditions to rapidly deteriorate again for the evening commute. WIZ005-011>013-161830- Vilas-Forest-Florence-Northern Marinette County- 918 AM CST Fri Dec 16 2016 ...LIGHT SNOW MAY CREATE LOCALLY HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS LATER THIS MORNING... Light snow will overspread far northern Wisconsin late this morning, and may result in locally hazardous travel conditions. The snow may briefly taper off in the early afternoon, but will quickly intensify again by evening as a significant winter storm arrives. Look for road conditions to rapidly deteriorate again for the evening commute. Kieckbusch
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Green Bay WI 1221 PM CST Fri Dec 16 2016 WIZ005-010>013-018>022-030-031-035>040-045-048>050-073-074-162200- Vilas-Oneida-Forest-Florence-Northern Marinette County-Lincoln- Langlade-Menominee-Northern Oconto County-Door-Marathon-Shawano- Wood-Portage-Waupaca-Outagamie-Brown-Kewaunee-Waushara-Winnebago- Calumet-Manitowoc-Southern Marinette County- Southern Oconto County- 1221 PM CST Fri Dec 16 2016 ...HAZARDOUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE THIS AFTERNOON... Light snow will continue through mid-afternoon, then quickly intensify between 3 pm and 6 pm. Roads will remain snow covered and slippery through the afternoon, and travel conditions will be hazardous in most areas for the evening commute. Motorists should slow down, allow extra time to reach their destination, and keep a safe distance from other vehicles. Kieckbusch
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREEN BAY WI
109 PM CST FRI DEC 16 2016
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1245 PM SNOW PLOVER 44.45N 89.53W
12/16/2016 M1.9 INCH PORTAGE WI CO-OP OBSERVER
0.06 INCH WATER EQUIVALENT...MULTIPLE CARS IN DITCHES ON
I-39 AND SLIPPERY IN PLOVER AND STEVENS POINT.
&&
TIMKPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREEN BAY WI
220 PM CST FRI DEC 16 2016
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0215 PM SNOW TWO RIVERS 44.15N 87.56W
12/16/2016 M0.5 INCH MANITOWOC WI PUBLIC
0145 PM SNOW 3 WSW HOWARD 44.54N 88.12W
12/16/2016 M1.1 INCH BROWN WI NWS EMPLOYEE
N PART OF VILLAGE OF HOBART
&&
JKLPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREEN BAY WI
247 PM CST FRI DEC 16 2016
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0246 PM SNOW 4 NE IOLA 44.54N 89.05W
12/16/2016 M2.0 INCH WAUPACA WI TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
TIMKPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREEN BAY WI
252 PM CST FRI DEC 16 2016
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0250 PM SNOW RHINELANDER 45.63N 89.41W
12/16/2016 M1.0 INCH ONEIDA WI TRAINED SPOTTER
&&
JKLThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
16 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
Around 8 inches of snow fell in southeast Marathon County.
A total of 8.0 inches of snow fell at Port Edwards.
A total of 9.3 inches of snow fell at Stevens Point.
Snow totals were around 8 inches across parts of central Shawano County.
A total of 9.7 inches of snow fell near Marion.
A total of 9.5 inches of snow fell near Oshkosh.
A total of 11.0 inches of snow fell at Chilton.
Around 8 inches of snow fell in Green Bay.
A total of 9.0 inches of snow fell in Appleton.
Around 8 inches of snow fell in Marinette.
Much of Door County received between 10 inches and a foot of snow. The highest total was 13.0 inches at Sturgeon Bay.
A total of 9.7 inches of snow fell at Kewaunee.
A total of 11.1 inches of snow fell at Two Rivers.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wisconsin in 2016Every state in 2016This day in weather historyWarnings in Wisconsin, December 2016
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 669209, 669210, 669211, 669213, 669214, 669215, 669216, 669217, 669218, 669219, 669220, 669221, 669222, 669223, 669224, 669225.