A fast-moving upper level disturbance moved across Wisconsin, dropping 6 to 9 inches of snow in a 12 to 18 hour period in parts of central, north-central, and northeast Wisconsin. ).
Every event with a place to put it; 9 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.
A fast-moving upper level disturbance moved across Wisconsin, dropping 6 to 9 inches of snow in a 12 to 18 hour period in parts of central, north-central, and northeast Wisconsin. The highest snow totals included 9.0 inches in Merrill (Lincoln Co.), 8.4 inches in Aurora (Florence Co.), 8.0 inches in Townsend (Oconto Co.), 7.8 inches at Rice Reservoir Number 2 (Lincoln Co.), 7.7 inches in Crandon (Forest Co.), and 7.5 inches in Rhinelander (Oneida 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 Feb 5, 5:47 AM CST, 6 hours 13 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Green Bay WI 547 AM CST Tue Feb 5 2019 Updated aviation portion for 12Z TAF issuance .SHORT TERM...Today...Tonight...and Wednesday Issued at 357 AM CST Tue Feb 5 2019 Upper level jets and low level warm advection will combine to produce at least a few inches of snow across the region late this afternoon and evening. The right entrance region of a jet moving across Upper Michigan and the left exit region of another lifting northeast from Iowa could produce one or two narrow bands of higher snowfall. It is difficult to forecast something like this, but the best guess is that it would be roughly along a Wausau to Wausaukee line. Mild air aloft could produce some sleet and freezing rain in the Fox Valley and lakeshore, especially from Oshkosh to Manitowoc. All of the precipitation may end as freezing drizzle late tonight as mid level moisture and ice crystals depart. Wednesday should be mostly cloudy with seasonable temperatures ahead of the next weather system. .LONG TERM...Wednesday Night Through Monday Issued at 357 AM CST Tue Feb 5 2019 Another round of wintry precipitation can be expected toward the end of the work week, followed by much colder than normal temperatures. Significant amounts of snow and freezing rain are possible across parts of the forecast area. A frontal boundary to the south and upper divergence in the left exit region of an upper level jet max will provide lift for precipitation well ahead of the arrival of a mid level trough and surface low pressure system. There is at least a chance for snow and/or freezing rain across most of the area starting Wednesday evening and precipitation chances increase overnight. Wintry precipitation looks like a sure thing on Thursday as the surface low moves into the region. The 00Z GFS and ECMWF were similar in taking the low to north-central Illinois by 18Z and then to central Lake Michigan by 00Z Friday. The 00Z NAM and Canadian-NH were both farther south with the system. Most of the precipitation should change to snow as cold air wraps around the departing system. The forecast area should be dry after 06Z Friday, with the exception of lake-effect snow showers in north- central Wisconsin that remain possible through Friday evening. Winds become unfavorable for lake-effect in the area as a surface high pressure system moves into the region. Model consistency is an issue for the weekend into early next week, so the chance for snow Sunday afternoon and evening from the initial model blend was left alone. High temperatures are expected to be warmer on Sunday and Monday, but still colder than normal. && .AVIATION...for 12Z TAF Issuance Issued at 547 AM CST Tue Feb 5 2019 MVFR ceilings are expected west of a Stevens Point to Iron Mountain line today with VFR/MVFR ceilings further east. An upper level disturbance will bring snow and IFR conditions to the region late this afternoon or evening which should end as freezing drizzle late tonight. Some sleet or freezing rain may mix with the snow south of Green Bay. Dry weather is expected Wednesday with MVFR/VFR ceilings before the next weather system brings IFR weather and wintry precipitation Wednesday night and Thursday. && .GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Weather Advisory from 6 PM this evening to 3 AM CST Wednesday for WIZ020>022-031-037>040-048>050-073-074. Winter Weather Advisory from 3 PM this afternoon to midnight CST tonight for WIZ005-010>013-018-019-030-035-036-045. && SHORT TERM.....RDM LONG TERM......MG AVIATION.......RDM
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Green Bay WI 330 AM CST Tue Feb 5 2019 WIZ005-010>013-018>022-030-031-035>040-045-048>050-073-074-060930- 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- 330 AM CST Tue Feb 5 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north-central and northeast Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Hazardous travel conditions are likely across the area later today and tonight. Snow will arrive during the late afternoon and continue through the evening hours. It may mix with sleet and freezing rain in the Fox Valley and Lakeshore areas, and end as freezing drizzle late tonight. Several inches of snow are possible in most areas. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday Another round of wintry precipitation and hazardous travel conditions are possible Wednesday night into Thursday night. Significant amounts of snow and freezing rain are possible with this system, but exact locations and amounts remain in question. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to forward snowfall measurements to the National Weather Service in Green Bay. LMZ521-522-541>543-060930- The Bay of Green Bay south of a line from Cedar River MI to Rock Island Passage-Lake Michigan from Washington Island to Sheboygan- 330 AM CST Tue Feb 5 2019 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest Lake Michigan and the waters of Green Bay. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight The probability of widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday Heavy freezing spray is expected at times during the next week. RDM/MG
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
9 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
The highest snowfall totals in Oneida County were 7.5 inches in Rhinelander and 6.7 inches near Bradley and near Goodnow.
An estimated 9 inches of snow fell in Merrill and 7.8 inches fell at Rice Reservoir Number 2.
Around 6 inches of snow fell in Wausau.
The highest snow totals in Forest County were 7.7 inches in Crandon and 6.2 inches near Argonne.
The highest snow totals in Florence County were 8.4 inches in Aurora, 6.2 inches 4 miles west of Aurora, and 6.0 inches near Spread Eagle.
The highest snow totals in northern Marinette County were 6.5 inches in Wausaukee, 6.3 inches in Amberg, and 6.0 inches in Athelstane.
The highest snow total in southern Marinette County was 6.5 inches near High Falls Reservoir.
The highest snowfall total in northern Oconto County was 8.0 inches in Townsend.
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, February 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: 803900, 803901, 803903, 803904, 803905, 803906, 803907, 803908, 803909.