A fast moving, compact low pressure system tracking through southern Wisconsin brought 6 to 10 inches of snow to central and northeast Wisconsin. Visibilities dropped down to a quarter of a mile or less for several hours as the heavy band of snow moved across the area.
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.
A fast moving, compact low pressure system tracking through southern Wisconsin brought 6 to 10 inches of snow to central and northeast Wisconsin. Visibilities dropped down to a quarter of a mile or less for several hours as the heavy band of snow moved across the area. A two vehicle crash in the Town of Liberty in Outagamie County resulted in one fatality and one injury.
Some of the highest snowfall totals included 10.3 inches in Polonia (Portage Co.), 10.0 inches in New Franken (Brown Co.) as well as Forestville (Door Co.), 9.8 inches in Wisconsin Rapids (Wood Co.), and 9.7 inches in Clintonville (Waupaca 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 9, 5:04 AM CST, 56 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Green Bay WI 504 AM CST Sun Feb 9 2020 Updated to add short term portion for morning forecast issuance .SYNOPSIS... Issued at 457 AM CST Sun Feb 9 2020 Snow today, then relatively quiet weather with seasonable temperatures through the middle of next week. The upper flow across North America will remain at least somewhat split throughout the period. The southern stream trough is in the process of reforming over the western CONUS. A significant piece of energy will race eastward as that occurs, driving a cyclone east across the Plains and into the Great Lakes region today. The southern stream will be less dominant in the new regime, so the forecast area will be primarily under the influence of the northern stream once today's system shifts off to the east tonight. The pattern should result in a continuation of seasonable temperatures through the middle of the upcoming work week, with below normal readings likely late in the period. The primary precipitation episode will occur today as the Plains cyclone crosses the region. Another round is possible during the middle part of next week if enough phasing of the streams occurs to allow the area to get clipped by a cyclone heading northeast up the Ohio Valley. Above normal amounts are likely across at least the southern portion of the forecast area, with totals likely closer to normal across the north. && .SHORT TERM...Today...Tonight...and Monday Issued at 457 AM CST Sun Feb 9 2020 While the surface reflection of the cyclone that will bring snow to the area today will remain rather modest, both the satellite and radar presentation of the system were quite impressive early this morning. Satellite imagery depicted a large area of cold cloud tops, but more important was their mottled appearance indicating a convective component to the precipitation. Radar indicated considerable coverage of >28dBZ returns, which correlated nicely to 1/2-1/4SM vsby on surface obs, and likely > 1 inch per hour snowfall rates. The lift generating the heavy snow was being created by strong isentropic upglide and low-level convergence near the nose of a 40-50 kt LLJ at 850 mb. Lift from the jet will shift quickly east across the area today, likely producing a several hour period of snowfalls of 1 inch per hour snow. Snowfall rates could approach 2 inches per hour at times as mid-level stability decreases during the mid-day hours (700-500 mb lapse rates approaching 7K/km brushing through the southern portion of the forecast area). Thunder is not out of the question south of hwy 29 as occasional lightning flashes have been detected shifting east across far southern MN early this morning. The initial surge of precipitation at the nose of the LLJ will be progressive, but that alone might not have been sufficient to justify a warning other than possibly due to the high snowfall rate/low visibility. What has become more of a concern is that QG forcing with the mid-level shortwave is forecast to increase as it shifts east. This will result in heavier snows in the comma head structure evolving on satellite. Extrapolation of the southern edge of the cold cloud tops in the deformation zone brings them across the forecast area on a ISW-GRB axis. Snowfall rates with the deformation zone may not match those with the LLJ/isentropic lift. But the moderate to strong forcing with the the east/west nature of the snow band in the deformation zone suggest at least several more hours of 1/2-1 inch per hour snows are likely. Thus it seemed reasonable to bump snowfall totals up 1-2 inches in east-central Wisconsin despite the overall speed with which the system races through the area. The current alignment of the snow on radar suggested reducing totals a little across the far north. Winds are not expected to be a major factor during the storm. But there may be enough wind to produce at least a little drifting near the lake at times, and in the GRB area during the mid-late afternoon as winds back around through 040 degrees. Snow should taper off quickly from west to east during the late afternoon and evening. Skies will probably clear across the northwest part of the area. The combination of clearing skies, light winds, and a fresh snow cover will support sub-zero lows across the north. Counted on a little more wind and lingering clouds to hold temperatures up in east-central Wisconsin. Quiet conditions will return Monday. .LONG TERM...Monday Night Through Saturday Issued at 350 AM CST Sun Feb 9 2020 In a split flow pattern across North America, the northern stream will have the most influence on the sensible weather over Wisconsin during the next week. Will see periodic light snow chances in this pattern, with the best chances occurring on Wednesday and Wednesday night. Uncertainty remains relatively high during this period, however, as models are struggling with the track of a southern stream system and how far to bring it north. Will continue to use a general model blend for much of this forecast. Monday night through Tuesday night...Weak shortwave energy will be moving across the region during the late Monday night into Tuesday morning period. Moisture will be quite limited, but there may be just enough for some flurries or light snow showers over the northwoods after midnight into early Tuesday morning. The rest of Tuesday into Tuesday night should then remain relatively quiet as subsidence returns behind the shortwave. Temps are expected to be seasonable. Rest of this forecast...The next chance of snow will return with the passage of an arctic front on Wednesday and Wednesday night. Moisture will remain limited, but fgen forcing/moisture along the front appears higher than on Monday night. Plus, the northern edge of a southern stream system may also clip northeast WI on Wednesday night. Perhaps an inch or two of fluffy snow will be possible. Much colder air is then projected to move in behind the arctic front on Thursday and Thursday night. Will lower temps several degrees. Though the arctic air will stick around on Friday, temps should warm up quickly next weekend as southwest winds return on the backside of the arctic high. && .AVIATION...for 12Z TAF Issuance Issued at 457 AM CST Sun Feb 9 2020 Poor aviation conditions are expected today into this evening due to moderate to heavy snow. Anticipate a period of LIFR/VLIFR conditions mainly due to reduced visibility from the snow. Overall, winds are not expected to be strong enough to significantly impact snow removal efforts at airports, but a few hours of gusts of 15 to 20 mph are possible at GRB this afternoon as winds swing around through a NE direction. && .GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Storm Warning from 9 AM this morning to 9 PM CST this evening for WIZ022-038>040-048>050-074. Winter Storm Warning until 6 PM CST this evening for WIZ020-030- 031-035>037-045. Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM CST this evening for WIZ010- 011-018-019. Winter Weather Advisory from 9 AM this morning to 9 PM CST this evening for WIZ012-013-021-073. && SYNOPSIS.......Skowronski SHORT TERM.....Skowronski LONG TERM......MPC AVIATION.......Skowronski
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Green Bay WI 358 AM CST Sun Feb 9 2020 WIZ005-010>013-018>022-030-031-035>040-045-048>050-073-074-101200- 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- 358 AM CST Sun Feb 9 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north-central and northeast Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Widespread hazardous travel conditions are expected today. Rapid snow accumulations of 6 to 10 inches are expected across central and east-central Wisconsin. Lower totals of 2 to 6 inches are likely over north-central and far northeast Wisconsin. Although the snow will come to an end this evening, hazardous travel will likely continue through the overnight hours. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday There is a chance of light snow on Wednesday and Wednesday night that could lead to hazardous travel conditions. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to forward snowfall measurements to the National Weather Service in Green Bay. LMZ521-522-541>543-101200- The Bay of Green Bay south of a line from Cedar River MI to Rock Island Passage-Lake Michigan from Washington Island to Sheboygan- 358 AM CST Sun Feb 9 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest Lake Michigan and the waters of Green Bay. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. Skowronski/MPC
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
16 heavy snow. Local standard time, as filed.
Six to ten inches of snow fell across Wood County. The highest snowfall totals included: 2 miles west of Wisconsin Rapids 9.8 inches, Wisconsin Rapids 8.5 inches and Pittsville and Nekoosa 8.0 inches.
Six to nine inches of snow fell across Winnebago County. The highest snowfall totals included: Oshkosh southeast 8.5 inches, Neenah 6.5 inches and Omro 6.0 inches.
Four to seven inches of snow fell across Marathon County. The highest snowfall totals included: Mosinee 6.8 inches, Wausau northeast 6.5 inches and Schofield 6.0 inches.
Eight to ten inches of snow fell across Portage County. The highest snowfall totals included: Polonia 10.3 inches, Rosholt 9.7 inches, Stevens Point 9.4 inches, Plover 8.3 inches and Rudolph 8.1 inches.
Five to eight inches of snow fell across Outagamie County. The highest snowfall totals included: Greenville 8.0 inches, Shiocton 7.5 inches, Kaukauna 7.0 inches, New London 6.2 inches and Appleton 6.0 inches. A two vehicle crash in the Town of Liberty resulted in one fatality and one injury during the morning hours of February 9.
Snowfall was estimated around 6 inches across Menominee County.
Six to nine inches of snow fell across Waushara County. The highest snowfall totals included: Spring Lake 8.0 inches, Wild Rose 7.0 inches, Wautoma 6.9 inches and Hancock 6.6 inches.
Six to ten inches of snow fell across Waupaca County. The highest snowfall totals included: Clintonville 9.7 inches, Iola 9.0 inches and Waupaca 8.1 inches.
Six to nine inches of snow fell across Manitowoc County. The highest snowfall totals included: Two Rivers 8.8 inches, Manitowoc 8.0 inches, Kiel 7.5 inches and St. Nazianz 7.4 inches.
Six to nine inches of snow fell across Shawano County. The highest snowfall totals included: Tigerton 9.1 inches, Pulaski (4 west) 7.5 inches, Shawano 6.9 inches and Bonduel 6.5 inches.
Six to ten inches of snow fell across Brown County. The highest snowfall totals included: New Franken 10.0 inches, Green Bay (city limits) 7.0 inches, Suamico 7.3 inches, Pulaski 6.6 inches, Little Rapids 6.5 inches and Wrightstown 6.1 inches.
Six to eight inches of snow fell across Calumet County. The highest snowfall totals included: Brillion 8.0 inches and Chilton 7.0 inches.
Six to eight inches of snow fell across Kewaunee County. Kewaunee reported 8.0 inches of snow.
Six to nine inches of snow fell across southern Oconto County. The highest snowfall totals included: Stiles 9.0 inches, Oconto 8.5 inches, Lena 8.0 inches and Mountain 7.5 inches.
Five to ten inches of snow fell across southern Marinette County. The highest snowfall totals included: Peshtigo 10.0 inches, Marinette 8.0 inches and Wausaukee 7.0 inches.
Six to ten inches of snow fell across Door County. The highest snowfall totals included: Forestville 10.0 inches, 4 SE Potawatomi State Park 9.0 inches, Washington Island 8.0 inches, Sturgeon Bay 7.0 inches and Egg Harbor 6.5 inches.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy Snow, Outagamie | 2020-02-09 | 32 | Female | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wisconsin in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Wisconsin, February 2020
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: 869192, 869640, 869641, 869642, 869643, 869644, 869647, 869651, 869653, 869654, 869655, 869657, 869659, 869660, 869661, 869663.