The second winter storm in a week struck during the Thanksgiving weekend, impacting Wisconsin from late Saturday evening November 30th through Sunday December 1st. The storm developed over the Central Plains early Saturday, then quickly moved east to the Wisconsin/Illinois border on Sunday.
Every event with a place to put it; 25 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.
The second winter storm in a week struck during the Thanksgiving weekend, impacting Wisconsin from late Saturday evening November 30th through Sunday December 1st. The storm developed over the Central Plains early Saturday, then quickly moved east to the Wisconsin/Illinois border on Sunday. Warm air aloft brought a mix of rain, sleet, freezing rain, and snow to the area Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening, transitioning to all snow by Saturday night and continuing into Sunday. A band of 8 to 12 inches fell across northern Wisconsin, with some areas receiving as much as 14 inches of snow. Farther south, snowfall totals were lower, in the 4 to 8 inch range; however, gusty winds caused some downed trees and power outages across the region. The combination of high bay and lake water levels and strong northeast winds also caused considerable flooding along the bay and lake.
Some of the higher snowfall totals included 14.0 inches in Wausaukee (Marinette Co.), 13.5 inches near Mountain (Oconto Co.), 13.4 inches in Florence (Florence Co.), 12.2 inches in Washington Island (Door Co.), 12.1 inches in Crivitz High Falls (Oconto Co.), 11.6 inches in White Lake (Langlade Co.), and 11.3 inches near Argonne (Forest Co.) as well as Rice Reservoir (Lincoln 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 Nov 30, 11:11 PM CST, 49 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Green Bay WI 1111 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 Updated aviation portion for 06Z TAF issuance .SHORT TERM...Tonight and Sunday Issued at 339 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 In a nutshell, generally minor adjustments to the previous short- term portion of the forecast as major winter storm now beginning to impact the forecast area. Only changes were to mention a few hours of thunder over central Wisconsin early this evening as persistent lightning strikes have been observed now brushing the far western counties. Also extended the Winter Storm Warning for Florence, Forest and Northern Marinette counties until 00Z Monday as forcing associated with deformation zone will be a bit slower to depart that area. Given somewhat slower departure of the storm system, also extended the Flood Warning for lakeshore areas of Brown, Oconto and Marinette counties until midnight Sunday night as strong northeast fetch will persists there a little longer. Finally, latest guidance suggests that elevated warm layer may penetrate further north into northern Wisconsin, perhaps as far as Oneida and southern Forest Counties this evening. Thus, added mention of sleet mixed in with the snow mainly before midnight in that area. All in all forecast snowfall totals similar to previous forecast. Did bump up snowfall totals a little bit over Wood Waupaca and Waushara counties as appears QPF will be greater than previous forecast. However confidence is still low on exactly when transition to snow would occur there so opted to keep the advisory there and let the evening shift take a closer look at the situation as to weather upgrade to warning is warranted. Based on forecast soundings, still appears that sleet will be primary precipitation type especially across the Fox Valley this evening especially with stronger convective-looking cells now surging northward into the southern Fox Valley. In between the convective elements precipitation type will likely transition to light freezing rain and freezing drizzle until precipitation shield consolidated and warm layer aloft collapses toward 06Z. Winds will continue to increase overnight with blowing snow becoming a concern especially after midnight especially north of the I29 corridor. Still appears that the heaviest snow will fall over northeast Wisconsin north of Green Bay overnight into Sunday morning. Given the wet nature of the snow in concert with strong east to northeast winds gusting into 30 to 35 mph range sporadic power outages are quite possible overnight into Sunday. .LONG TERM...Sunday Night Through Saturday Issued at 339 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 Fairly quiet weather expected in the extended forecast. Temperatures will start out below normal and will steadily warm to near normal through the rest of the extended forecast. Sunday night: Some wrap-around moisture will continue to stream across far northeast and east-central Wisconsin through at least Sunday evening. This, along with colder air pushing into the area, will allow for some light snow to linger. Additional snow totals in those areas will likely reach up to one inch through midnight. Otherwise, much of the rest of the area will see temperatures drop into the low teens with precipitation coming to an end from west to east. Monday through Tuesday night: A surface ridge and upper-level ridge will build across the area, keeping mainly dry conditions in place through Tuesday morning. Skies will likely become mostly clear through Monday night, before moisture returns during the day Tuesday. A quick moving trough will pass through the area late Tuesday into Tuesday night, which may bring a few flurries or light snow showers, mainly down wind of Lake Superior. Otherwise, high temperatures will be in the upper 20s to low 30s with overnight lows in the teens. Wednesday through Thursday: Another quick moving surface ridge and upper level ridge is expected to build across the area bringing fairly quiet conditions through Wednesday evening. This ridge will be followed, yet again, by a quick moving trough. Light flurries or light snow showers will be possible downwind of Lake Superior; otherwise, quiet conditions are expected to continue. High temperatures will warm into the low to mid 30s (near normal) and overnight lows will be in the upper teens to low 20s. High pressure is then set to build across the area for the end of the workweek and into next weekend. This will likely lead to continued quiet weather for a change. Temperatures are expected to be near or slightly below normal. && .AVIATION...for 06Z TAF Issuance Issued at 1111 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 IFR conditions with snow, moderate or heavy at times through Sunday afternoon. Snowplows and deicing equipment will be needed everywhere. Some blowing and drifting snow is likely late tonight and Sunday mostly west of the lake and bay. Flying conditions will improve from west to east Sunday evening. && .GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM CST Sunday for WIZ045-048>050. Lakeshore Flood Warning until 6 PM CST Sunday for WIZ022-040-050. Winter Storm Warning until 6 PM CST Sunday for WIZ011>013- 020>022-031-035>040-073-074. Winter Storm Warning until noon CST Sunday for WIZ005-010-018- 019-030. Lakeshore Flood Warning until midnight CST Sunday night for WIZ039-073-074. && SHORT TERM.....ESB LONG TERM......Cooley AVIATION.......RDM
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Green Bay WI 308 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 WIZ005-010>013-018>022-030-031-035>040-045-048>050-073-074-012115- 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- 308 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north-central and northeast Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Tonight Widespread hazardous travel conditions will develop quickly this evening and continue overnight as a major winter storm brings a wintry mix of precipitation to the area initially then change to snow overnight. Sleet will be the primary precipitation type this evening especially over the Fox Valley before changing to snow overnight. Travel is likely to become difficult tonight, especially from Wausau to Green Bay northward where the bulk of the precipitation will fall as snow. Lakeshore and bayshore flooding is also expected due to strong east winds. Significant erosion is also possible. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Saturday Difficult travel conditions will continue Sunday as the storm continues to affect the area. Lakeshore and bayshore flooding will also continue Sunday into Sunday Evening. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to report snowfall totals to the National Weather Service throughout the storm. Spotters are also requested to report any instances of icy roads due to freezing drizzle. Reports of lakeside or bayside flooding or erosion are also most appreciated. LMZ521-522-541>543-012115- The Bay of Green Bay south of a line from Cedar River MI to Rock Island Passage-Lake Michigan from Washington Island to Sheboygan- 308 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest Lake Michigan and the waters of Green Bay. .DAY ONE...Tonight East gales are expected tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Saturday Northeast gales are expected Sunday. ESB/Cooley
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREEN BAY WI
718 PM CST SAT NOV 30 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0415 PM FREEZING RAIN MINOCQUA 45.86N 89.69W
11/30/2019 M0.20 INCH ONEIDA WI TRAINED SPOTTER
MIX OF FREEZING RAIN AND FREEZING DRIZZLE THROUGH THE
DAY. MEASURED 0.2 INCHES ON CAR FROM 8AM TO 415PM.
&&
KJPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREEN BAY WI
719 PM CST SAT NOV 30 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 PM FREEZING RAIN MARSHFIELD 44.66N 90.16W
11/30/2019 U0.00 INCH WOOD WI TRAINED SPOTTER
A COUPLE REPORTS OF FREEZING RAIN ON SURFACES AND ROADS.
&&
KJPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREEN BAY WI
935 PM CST SAT NOV 30 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0923 PM FREEZING RAIN 1 W SHAWANO 44.78N 88.60W
11/30/2019 U0.00 INCH SHAWANO WI PUBLIC
STARTED SLEETING ABOUT 20 MINS AGO, ROADS
ARE GETTING VERY ICY.
&&Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Green Bay WI 946 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 WIZ005-010>013-018>021-010615- Vilas-Oneida-Forest-Florence-Northern Marinette County-Lincoln- Langlade-Menominee-Northern Oconto County- 946 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 ...SNOW BECOMING HEAVIER TONIGHT... Snow will become moderate to heavy at times tonight through midday Sunday. Travel will become increasingly difficult overnight. Bring a snow shovel and phone if you will be traveling tonight. Air travel delays are likely as well. WIZ030-031-035>037-045-010615- Marathon-Shawano-Wood-Portage-Waupaca-Waushara- 946 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 ...FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET CAUSING HAZARDOUS TRAVEL... Snow will become moderate or heavy at times overnight through midday Sunday, making travel very difficult. Bring a snow shovel and phone if you need to travel. Air travel delays are likely. WIZ038-039-048-049-073-074-010615- Outagamie-Brown-Winnebago-Calumet-Southern Marinette County- Southern Oconto County- 946 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 ...TRAVEL IS BECOMING HAZARDOUS LATE THIS EVENING... Roads and sidewalks were becoming slick late this evening as rain and sleet change over to snow. The snow will become heavy at times later tonight into Sunday. Air travel delays are likely. WIZ040-050-010615- Kewaunee-Manitowoc- 946 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 ...RAIN WILL CHANGE TO FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET AND MAKE ROADS SLICK LATE THIS EVENING... Rain will become mixed with sleet this evening and then change to snow after midnight. Roads and sidewalks will become slick late tonight and Sunday. Travel with care. WIZ022-010615- Door- 946 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2019 ...TRAVEL BECOMING HAZARDOUS IN DOOR COUNTY THIS EVENING... A mixture of snow and sleet was making for hazardous travel late this evening. It will change to all snow by midnight and continue into Sunday afternoon or evening. Bring along a snow shover and phone if you must travel late tonight and Sunday. RDM
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREEN BAY WI
951 PM CST SAT NOV 30 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0950 PM SNOW WAUSAU 44.96N 89.63W
11/30/2019 M1.5 INCH MARATHON WI BROADCAST MEDIA
SNOW AMOUNT SO FAR AT WSAW-TV. FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET
CHANGED TO SNOW BEFORE 8PM.
&&
KJPRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREEN BAY WI
1132 PM CST SAT NOV 30 2019
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
1126 PM SNOW RHINELANDER 45.63N 89.41W
11/30/2019 M2.7 INCH ONEIDA WI BROADCAST MEDIA
&&
ECKBERGThe national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
20 winter storm, 5 lakeshore flood. Local standard time, as filed.
The highest snowfall totals across Brown County included 8.8 inches four miles west of Suamico, 7.6 inches in Denmark and 7.2 inches in Green Bay. Freezing drizzle and sleet with icing amounts less than a tenth of an inch fell before the snow arrived.
The highest snowfall totals across Calumet County included 6.3 inches in Brillion and 5.5 inches in Chilton. Freezing drizzle and sleet with icing amounts less than a tenth of an inch fell before the snow arrived.
The highest snowfall totals across Door County included 12.2 inches in Washington Island, 12.0 inches in Ephraim, and 11.0 inches 2 E of Ellison Bay as well as 1 NNE of Sister Bay. Freezing drizzle and sleet with icing amounts less than a tenth of an inch fell before the snow arrived.
The highest snowfall totals across Florence County included 13.4 inches in Florence, 11.0 inches 6 ESE of Florence and 10.5 inches in Spread Eagle. Freezing drizzle and sleet with icing amounts around two tenths of an inch or less fell before the snow arrived.
The highest snowfall total across Forest County was 11.3 inches 2 NW of Argonne. Freezing drizzle and sleet with icing amounts around two tenths of an inch or less fell before the snow arrived.
The highest snowfall total across Kewaunee County was 3.5 inches in Kewaunee. Sleet and light freezing rain also created a thin coating of ice.
The highest snowfall totals across Langlade County included 11.6 inches in White Lake and 9.0 inches in Summit Lake. Freezing drizzle and sleet with icing amounts less than two tenths of an inch fell before the snow arrived.
The highest snowfall totals across Lincoln County included 11.3 inches in Rice Reservoir, 10.7 inches in Merrill and 7.5 inches 7 W of Merrill. Freezing drizzle and sleet with icing amounts less than two tenths of an inch fell before the snow arrived.
The highest snowfall totals across Manitowoc County included 6.0 inches 5 WNW of Two Rivers, 4.7 inches 2 E of Millhome and 4.5 inches in Two Rivers. Freezing drizzle and sleet with icing amounts less than a tenth of an inch fell before the snow arrived.
The highest snowfall totals across Marathon County included 8.3 inches 3 E Schofield, 7.8 inches in Wausau, 7.4 inches 2 ENE Wausau and 6.3 inches at the Eau Pleine Reservoir. Freezing drizzle and sleet with icing amounts less than a tenth of an inch fell before the snow arrived.
Heavy snow fell on the 1st. Freezing drizzle and sleet with icing amounts less than a tenth of an inch fell before the snow arrived.
The highest snowfall totals across northern Marinette County included 14.0 inches in Wausaukee and 8.5 inches in Niagara. Freezing drizzle and sleet with icing amounts less than two tenths of an inch fell before the snow arrived.
Over six inches of snow fell across northern Oconto County. Freezing drizzle and sleet with icing amounts less than two tenths of an inch fell before the snow arrived.
The highest snowfall totals across Oneida County included 10.1 inches in Willow Reservoir, 9.7 inches 2 SSE of Hazelhurst, 8.9 inches 6 WNW of Rhinelander and 7.8 inches in Rhinelander. Freezing drizzle and sleet with icing amounts around two tenths of an inch fell before the snow arrived.
The highest snowfall totals across Outagamie County included 9.5 inches in Shiocton, 8.3 inches in New London, 7.8 inches in Appleton and 6.8 inches 2 SW of Kaukauna.|Freezing drizzle and sleet with icing amounts less than a tenth of an inch fell before the snow arrived.
Highest snowfall totals across Shawano County included 9.2 inches in Shawano, 8.6 inches 2 SE of Tigerton, 8.0 inches 3 NW of Bonduel and 7.4 inches 4 W of Pulaski.|Freezing drizzle and sleet with icing amounts less than a tenth of an inch fell before the snow arrived.
The highest snowfall totals across southern Oconto County included 13.5 inches 1 E of Mountain, 10.6 inches 1 SW of Mountain, 10.2 inches in Suring and 8.0 inches 4 W of Oconto. Freezing drizzle and sleet with icing amounts less than a tenth of an inch fell before the snow arrived.
The highest snowfall totals across southern Marinette County included 12.1 inches in Crivitz High Falls, 7.6 inches in Peshtigo and 6.5 inches in Marinette. Freezing drizzle and sleet with icing amounts less than a tenth of an inch fell before the snow arrived.
The highest snowfall totals across Vilas County included 9.0 inches in Rest Lake, 8.5 inches in Lac Vieux Desert, 8.0 inches 12 W of Land O' Lakes and 7.9 inches in Eagle River. Freezing drizzle and sleet with icing amounts around two tenths of an inch or less fell before the snow arrived.
The highest snowfall totals across Waupaca County included 6.9 inches in Clintonville and Waupaca. Freezing drizzle and sleet with icing amounts less than a tenth of an inch fell before the snow arrived.
Strong east winds and high waters levels on Lake Michigan caused beach erosion along the Manitowoc County coastline. The high waves caused driftwood and other debris to be washed up onto the bike path from Manitowoc to Two Rivers.
The combination of high bay water levels and strong northeast winds caused flooding of Red Arrow Park in Marinette. Several residential homes along the bay were surrounded by water in the Town of Peshtigo. One person was evacuated due to the high water. High waters also impacted Bay Road, Spitzmacher Road and Canal Lane in Peshtigo.
The combination of high bay water levels and strong northeast winds caused flooding of several homes along the Bay of Green Bay. Several roads were closed due to flooding including: Harbor Road, Splinter Causeway and Bayshore Road in Oconto. The high bay waters levels seeped into the Oconto Wastewater Treatment Plant which crews used sandbags to contain the water. The treatment plant was over capacity due to the high water levels, resulting in water usage restrictions for the City of Oconto and the Towns of Pensaukee and Little River.
Strong and persistent east to northeast winds and high water levels caused several homes to flood in Emphraim, Liberty Grove and Brussels.
The combination of high water levels on the Bay of Green Bay and strong northeast winds caused flooding in the city of Green Bay. The high water ranged from several inches to a few feet deep that approached or surrounded several homes along East Shore Drive and Lakeside Place. A total of nine people were evacuated due to the high waters. The strong northeast winds also backed up the waters on the Fox and East Rivers in Green Bay. Several homes were flooded and several streets were closed due to flooding along the East River.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wisconsin in 2019Every state in 2019This day in weather historyWarnings in Wisconsin, December 2019
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: 860600, 860602, 860603, 860605, 860606, 860607, 860608, 860609, 860610, 860611, 860612, 860614, 860615, 860616, 860617, 860619, 860620, 860621, 860622, 860641, 869771, 869772, 869773, 869774, 869770.