Lake-Effect Snow and Winter Weather in Wisconsin, March 12 to 14, 2017

Name: Lake-Effect Snow and Winter Weather in Wisconsin, March 12 to 14, 2017
Start: 2017-03-12T18:30
End: 2017-03-14T12:00
Location: Wisconsin

March 12 to 14, 2017 · NWS MKX · 20 events in 20 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 20 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 5
Injuries: 10
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 20

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.

What happened

The episode as NWS MKX wrote it up.

A significant lake effect snowstorm occurred over eastern WI with snowfall totals of 1 to 2 feet. Hundreds of vehicles were involved in accidents and slide-offs including several large chain-reaction accidents on I-41 and I-43 on March 13th. No deaths occurred and only a small number of injuries were reported. Portions of the Interstates were closed for hours for cleanup and removal. There were 5 deaths in southeast WI when older men collapsed while shoveling or snow blowing. Some schools and local governments closed during the afternoon of March 13th due to the heavy snow. Several inches of snow also fell over south central WI during this time due to a low pressure area that tracked from the central Great Plains through the Ohio River Valley.

What forecasters said that day

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 Milwaukee, WI wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 12, 2:30 PM CST, 4 hours earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 12, 2:30 PM CST, 4 hours before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
330 PM CDT Sun Mar 12 2017

.SHORT TERM...

TONIGHT...Forecast Confidence Is High.

Keeping the current Winter Weather Advisory headlines as is for this
forecast.

Current area of moderate to heavy snow over south central Minnesota
is expected to slide southeastward across northeast Iowa into
northern Illinois. This is associated with the 850 mb to 700 mb
frontogenesis response fields, and focused warm air advection in
this layer.

The mesoscale models, and most synoptic models, take the heaviest
snow and associated frontogenesis response just southwest of the
forecast area tonight. The southwest counties could get in on this,
being close to the expected track. However, there is not enough
confidence at this time to increase snow amounts enough to change
the current winter weather headlines there.

There will be a swath of light to moderate snow moving east into the
area this evening, lingering later tonight, as the 500 mb shortwave
trough approaches the area and focused warm air advection moves
through. Expecting a general 3 to 4 inch accumulation of dry powdery
snow tonight. Lake enhanced snow with multiple banded structures are
anticipated near Lake Michigan, mainly later tonight. Increased
amounts there a bit as a result.

Monday through Thursday...Forecast confidence medium to high.

The shortwave trough and mid level frontogenesis will move to the
east by late Mon AM however a nwly 120 kt jet streak and
associated upper trough will pivot south from Canada to over Lake
MI by 06z Tue. PVA and some warm advection at the jet level should
bring more light snow to the area for Mon afternoon into the
evening. Lake enhanced and lake effect snow (LES) will continue
as the 1000-850 mb flow backs from ely to nely through Mon night.
If the flow does not turn due nly too quick, LES will still be
ongoing for Tue; hence the advisory until noon for far eastern WI.
Heavy LES will be possible if a dominant LES band sets up Mon
night into Tue. On average, far eastern WI should see a few more
inches than far inland with locally higher or lower amounts due to
the nature of LES. The overall forecast is 6-9 inches in eastern
WI with 4-6 inches toward central WI and 5-8 inches far south
central WI. All current beginning and ending times of the
advisories look reasonably good.

Polar high pressure and cold temps are then expected for Wed-Thu
although some improvement in temps may occur for Thu afternoon.

.LONG TERM...Friday through Sunday...Forecast confidence medium.

Low pressure will move ewd across Srn Canada during this time with
sly flow developing late Thu and lasting into Fri night. A cold
frontal passage will then occur but will be rather weak. Chances
of snow and rain are forecast. High pressure will follow for
later Sat into Sun. Temps will be milder during this time.

&&

.AVIATION(18Z TAFS)...

Look for snow to move east across the area this evening, reaching
Madison around 00Z and the eastern sites by around 03Z. The heaviest
accumulations will be from the beginning until around 12Z Monday,
with rates of 1/4 to 1/2 inch per hour. 1 inch per hour rates are
possible in any heavier bands.

Visibilities should be around alternate minimums with the snow
tonight into Monday, possibly lower at times. Ceilings should get
below 1000 feet later tonight into Monday. These conditions should
linger in the far eastern counties Monday night into Tuesday morning.

Light snow will continue Monday across the area, with 1/4 inch per
hour rates. The snow should wind down west to east Monday evening,
with a lake effect/enhanced band lingering in the far eastern
counties Monday night into Tuesday morning. There is some
uncertainty with this band, and amounts may fluctuate a bit,
depending on where it sets up. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 9
inches are expected, highest in the far eastern counties near Lake
Michigan.

Winds will start out easterly around 10 knots or so this evening
into Monday morning, then back northeast Monday afternoon and north
later Monday night. Winds should increase in speed somewhat Monday
night into Tuesday near Lake Michigan, with a little blowing snow
possible.

&&

.MARINE...

A Small Craft Advisory is in effect from 7 AM Monday until 9 AM
Wednesday. A tight pressure gradient will allow for gusty east winds
to back northeast Monday afternoon, then back north after midnight
Monday night. Frequent gusts of 25 to perhaps 30 knots are probable
during this period. Waves should build to 3 to 5 feet Monday
morning, and 4 to 7 feet near the shore Monday night into Tuesday,
lingering Tuesday night and early Wednesday before subsiding.

&&

.MKX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...Winter Weather Advisory from 7 PM this evening to 7 PM CDT
     Monday for WIZ046-047-056-057-062-063-067>069.

     Winter Weather Advisory from 10 PM this evening to 1 PM CDT
     Tuesday for WIZ052-059-060-065-066-071-072.

     Winter Weather Advisory from 10 PM this evening to 1 AM CDT
     Tuesday for WIZ051-058-064-070.

LM...Small Craft Advisory from 7 AM Monday to 9 AM CDT Wednesday for
     LMZ643>646.

&&

Tonight/Monday and Aviation/Marine...Wood
Monday Night through Sunday...Gehring

Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 12, 2:38 PM CST, 3 hours 52 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
338 PM CDT Sun Mar 12 2017

WIZ046-047-051-052-056>060-062>072-132045-
Marquette-Green Lake-Fond Du Lac-Sheboygan-Sauk-Columbia-Dodge-
Washington-Ozaukee-Iowa-Dane-Jefferson-Waukesha-Milwaukee-
Lafayette-Green-Rock-Walworth-Racine-Kenosha-
338 PM CDT Sun Mar 12 2017

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of east central
Wisconsin, south central Wisconsin, and southeast Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Snow will overspread the area tonight as low pressure approaches.
Winter Weather Advisories will be going into effect.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Sunday

Snow will continue Monday into Monday night as Winter Weather
Advisories remain in effect. Several inches are expected with the
snow gradually diminishing from west to east Monday night. However
areas of southeast and east central Wisconsin near Lake Michigan
will see the Winter Weather Advisory continue Tuesday morning as
lake effect snows persist there. Total snowfall for this long
duration snow event are expected to be 4 to 9 inches with the
highest totals in the east closer to Lake Michigan.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated, but snowfall reports are
appreciated.

LMZ643>646-132045-
Sheboygan to Port Washington WI-
Port Washington to North Point Light WI-
North Point Light to Wind Point WI-
Wind Point WI to Winthrop Harbor IL-
338 PM CDT Sun Mar 12 2017

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of Lake Michigan.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Sunday

A Small Craft Advisory is in effect for Monday into Wednesday
morning. Brisk east winds will back northeast Monday afternoon,
then back north after midnight Monday night. High waves are
expected during this time.

www.weather.gov/mkx

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

13 winter weather, 7 lake-effect snow. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Weather, Sauk

When: March 12, 6:30 PM CST to March 13, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Sauk forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.427, -89.948 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Two to four inches of snow accumulation.

Winter Weather, Marquette

When: March 12, 7:00 PM CST to March 13, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Marquette forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.820, -89.399 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Two to four inches of snow accumulation.

Winter Weather, Columbia

When: March 12, 7:30 PM CST to March 13, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Columbia forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.467, -89.334 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Four to six inches of snow accumulation.

Winter Weather, Dodge

When: March 12, 7:30 PM CST to March 13, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Dodge forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.416, -88.707 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Four to seven inches of snow accumulation.

Winter Weather, Green Lake

When: March 12, 7:30 PM CST to March 13, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Green Lake forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.800, -89.045 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Two to four inches of snow accumulation.

Winter Weather, Iowa

When: March 12, 7:30 PM CST to March 13, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Iowa forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.001, -90.135 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Two to four inches of snow accumulation.

Winter Weather, Lafayette

When: March 12, 7:30 PM CST to March 13, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Lafayette forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.661, -90.132 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Two to three inches of snow accumulation.

Winter Weather, Dane

When: March 12, 7:30 PM CST to March 13, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Dane forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.067, -89.418 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Three to four inches of snow accumulation.

Lake-Effect Snow, Milwaukee

When: March 12, 8:00 PM CST to March 13, 11:30 PM CST
Where: Milwaukee forecast zone
Deaths: 0 direct, 4 indirect
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.022, -87.929 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Eight to thirteen inches of snow accumulation. Numerous slide-offs and chain-reaction accidents. Overall, there were 59 crash calls and 68 disabled vehicles during the daylight hours. Four older men collapsed and died while shoveling or snow blowing.

Lake-Effect Snow, Racine

When: March 12, 8:00 PM CST to March 14, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Racine forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.730, -87.812 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Five to twenty-two inches of snow accumulation with the highest amounts in the eastern portion of the county. Numerous vehicle slide-offs and accidents.

Lake-Effect Snow, Kenosha

When: March 12, 8:00 PM CST to March 14, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Kenosha forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.573, -87.840 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Five to seventeen inches of snow accumulation with the highest amounts in the eastern portion of the county. Numerous vehicle slide-offs and accidents.

Winter Weather, Fond du Lac

When: March 12, 8:30 PM CST to March 13, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Fond du Lac forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.754, -88.488 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Two to four inches of snow accumulation.

Winter Weather, Green

When: March 12, 8:30 PM CST to March 13, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Green forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.680, -89.602 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Two to four inches of snow accumulation.

Winter Weather, Rock

When: March 12, 8:30 PM CST to March 13, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Rock forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.671, -89.072 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Two to four inches of snow accumulation.

Winter Weather, Walworth

When: March 12, 8:30 PM CST to March 13, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Walworth forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 42.669, -88.542 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Three to seven inches of snow accumulation.

Winter Weather, Jefferson

When: March 12, 8:30 PM CST to March 13, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Jefferson forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.021, -88.776 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Three to eight inches of snow accumulation.

Lake-Effect Snow, Sheboygan

When: March 12, 8:30 PM CST to March 13, 6:00 PM CST
Where: Sheboygan forecast zone
Injuries: 0 direct, 3 indirect
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.756, -87.800 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Four to eight inches of snow accumulation. A chain-reaction accident involving 5 semi-trucks and 12 passenger vehicles shutdown the northbound lanes of I-43 at WI highway 23 for 2 hours beginning around 11:30 AM. 3 minor injuries were reported.

Lake-Effect Snow, Washington

When: March 12, 8:30 PM CST to March 13, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Washington forecast zone
Deaths: 0 direct, 1 indirect
Injuries: 0 direct, 7 indirect
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.369, -88.231 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Six to sixteen inches of snow accumulation with the lowest amounts in the far northwest portion of the county. Two large chain-reaction accidents involving dozens of vehicles occurred on I-41 from the late morning into the afternoon hours. I-41 southbound was closed from Sherman Rd. and Hillside Rd. in the Town of Polk for 6 hours. The two left lanes of northbound I-41 near Cedar Creek were also closed due to a large chain-reaction accident. 7 injuries were reported in total from both chain-reaction accidents. Overall, there were 97 crash calls involving 300 vehicles in the county. One older man collapsed and died while snow blowing his driveway.

Lake-Effect Snow, Ozaukee

When: March 12, 8:30 PM CST to March 13, 7:30 PM CST
Where: Ozaukee forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.403, -87.891 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Nine to fifteen inches of snow accumulation. Numerous vehicle slide-offs and accidents.

Lake-Effect Snow, Waukesha

When: March 12, 8:30 PM CST to March 13, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Waukesha forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.018, -88.304 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Four to twelve inches of snow accumulation with the highest amounts in the eastern portion of the county. Numerous vehicle slide-offs and accidents.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Lake-Effect Snow, Milwaukee	2017-03-13	68	Male	Outside/Open Areas	Indirect
Lake-Effect Snow, Milwaukee	2017-03-13	78	Male	Outside/Open Areas	Indirect
Lake-Effect Snow, Milwaukee	2017-03-13	76	Male	Outside/Open Areas	Indirect
Lake-Effect Snow, Milwaukee	2017-03-13	64	Male	Outside/Open Areas	Indirect
Lake-Effect Snow, Washington	2017-03-13	69	Male	Outside/Open Areas	Indirect

What these are

Winter Weather: Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.
Lake-Effect Snow: Heavy snow in bands downwind of a large lake as cold air crosses warmer water.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Wisconsin in 2017 Every state in 2017 This day in weather history Warnings in Wisconsin, March 2017

Sources

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: 681593, 681592, 681588, 681589, 681590, 681594, 681595, 681606, 681638, 681645, 681646, 681591, 681607, 681608, 681609, 681610, 681622, 681632, 681640, 681644.