A low pressure system tracking across northern Illinois brought a swath of heavy snow and gusty northerly winds of 15 to 25 mph during the afternoon hours of Tuesday (2/22). Snowfall amounts were generally 6 to 8 inches across portions of north-central Wisconsin.
Every event with a place to put it; 2 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 low pressure system tracking across northern Illinois brought a swath of heavy snow and gusty northerly winds of 15 to 25 mph during the afternoon hours of Tuesday (2/22). Snowfall amounts were generally 6 to 8 inches across portions of north-central Wisconsin.
Some of the highest snowfall totals included 7.5 inches in Manitowish Waters (Vilas Co.), 6.8 inches south of Woodruff (Oneida Co.), and 6.2 inches near Woodruff (Vilas 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 22, 11:43 AM CST, 1 hour 17 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Green Bay WI 1143 AM CST Tue Feb 22 2022 Updated aviation portion for 18Z TAF issuance and new information added to update section .UPDATE... Issued at 1132 AM CST Tue Feb 22 2022 The evolution of the deformation zone snow band and extrapolation of the southern edge of the cold cloud tops on satellite imagery suggest heavy snow will be more persistent across the NW corner of the forecast area, resulting in higher totals. As a result, will be upgrading Vilas and Oneida to a warning. Updated products will be out ASAP. && .SHORT TERM...Today...Tonight...and Wednesday Issued at 351 AM CST Tue Feb 22 2022 Winter weather headlines and snow and ice accumulations will be the main forecast concerns for the short-term. No changes will be made to the winter weather headlines. Occasional light snow continued across northern WI early this morning, while a light wintry mix of snow and freezing drizzle was observed south of a line from Wisconsin Rapids to Sturgeon Bay. Road reports indicated snow covered roads over much of northern WI, with icy stretches in east central WI and parts of central WI. WAA/isentropic lift will continue the spotty light snow or wintry mix early this morning, but precipitation is expected to increase in coverage and intensity as forcing associated with a coupled upper jet, short-wave trough and frontogenesis forcing ramps up in the late morning and afternoon. The forcing will be strongest over northern WI, where 2 to 4 inches of additional snow will fall, with local higher amounts in Vilas County. Along and south of a line from Wisconsin Rapids to Oconto to northern Door County, a light mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain will increase in the late morning and early afternoon. The wintry mix will change to snow from west to east during the mid to late afternoon as CAA wipes out the weak warm layer aloft. Additional snow accumulation over central and east central WI should range from a half inch to 2 inches. Additional ice accumulations will be light in most areas, though Manitowoc and southeast Kewaunee counties could see around a tenth of an inch. Blustery northeast to north winds will gust to 25 to 35 mph, strongest in the Fox Valley and lakeshore areas. High temperatures will be in the teens northwest to the lower 20s southeast. Forcing will lift out of the area from south to north during the late afternoon and evening. An additional dusting to an inch of snow can be expected in the evening over northern WI, with the greatest amounts in Vilas County. Lake-effect snow showers will persist in Vilas County overnight, with only another dusting to half inch anticipated. Clearing is expected across parts of central and east central WI late in the night. Lows will range from around zero northwest to around 10 above along the lakeshore. On Wednesday, any lingering lake-effect snow showers should taper off in Vilas County as high pressure builds into the region. Despite partly sunny skies, temperatures will only warm into the teens and lower 20s. .LONG TERM...Wednesday Night Through Monday Issued at 351 AM CST Tue Feb 22 2022 An amplified mean flow to persist through the upcoming weekend before losing some depth early next week. The persistent western CONUS upper trough is forecast to weaken a bit and become more positive-tilted as it lifts northeast across the central CONUS this weekend. As this occurs, an upper ridge will move from the eastern Pacific into the western CONUS and a northern stream upper trough will merge with the initial upper trough to produce one, deep upper trough over east-central NOAM. The prevailing northwest flow into WI will keep temperatures below normal with little way of precipitation this weekend into early next week. Wednesday night and Thursday... High pressure is forecast to expand over northern sections of the Great Lakes Wednesday night. As winds veer to the northeast just above the surface, there is a concern for a lake effect snow band to move toward the lakeshore counties after midnight. Delta-T values to reside around 20 with a favorable trajectory, thus have added a small chance pop. The rest of the area should stay dry with mostly cloudy skies. Will need to watch the far north as far as temperatures go with a fresh snowpack and light winds. Any break in the clouds would allow readings to tank. For now, have min temperatures ranging from 5 below to 10 below zero far north, around 10 above zero east-central WI. A prominent mid-level shortwave trough is forecast to eject into the southern/central Plains on Thursday. Increasing mid-level Q-G forcing and hints of a coupled jet structure over WI for lift. Despite a lack of significant surface features, expect to see a chance of light snow reach central/east-central WI by Thursday afternoon. Max temperatures to range from the middle to upper teens north, upper teens to lower 20s south. Thursday night and Friday... Snow chances to carry over for most of northeast WI into Thursday night as the shortwave trough sweeps into the Great Lakes and a surface low lifts northeast through the OH Valley. Highest pops placed over east-central WI where 1 to 2 inches of light snow is possible. The prevailing northeast wind will add a lake enhancement to the synoptic snow, thus areas near Lake MI could see accumulation totals in the 2 to 4 inch range (this includes the Wednesday night/Thursday lake effect). Min temperatures for Thursday night to range from 5 below to 10 below zero north- central WI, 5 to 10 above zero east-central WI. High pressure is expected to build into the western Great Lakes on Friday and bring some sunshine back to northeast WI. Despite the return of the sun, temperatures will remain well-below normal with readings from 15 to 20 degrees central WI, mainly lower 20s eastern WI. Friday night and Saturday... Quiet, but cold conditions to exist Friday night as the high pressure slides southeast into the mid-MS Valley/OH Valley. A mostly sunny start to the Saturday may give way to increasing clouds, especially over northern WI as a cold front drops south into northern sections of the Great Lakes. Max temperatures for Saturday to be in the middle to upper 20s north, upper 20s to lower 30s south. Saturday night and Sunday... This cold front sags south through WI Saturday night with a trailing broad upper trough digging south into the Great Lakes. There is a chance for light snow showers to accompany the frontal passage, but little in the way of accumulation is anticipated. Canadian high pressure is forecast to build southeast into the Upper Midwest on Sunday and while partly sunny skies should prevail, will need to watch for lake effect potential over north- central WI if trajectories become favorable. Max temperatures for Sunday to be in the middle to upper teens north-central WI, lower to middle 20s elsewhere. Sunday night and Monday... The high pressure settles over the western Great Lakes Sunday night through Monday, thus bringing tranquil conditions to the region. Temperatures to remain below normal with readings on Monday in the upper teens to around 20 degrees north-central, lower to middle 20s for the rest of the forecast area. && .AVIATION...for 18Z TAF Issuance Issued at 1132 AM CST Tue Feb 22 2022 A major round of wintry weather will result in poor flying conditions into tonight. Mainly snow is expected at the central /north-central TAF site, with sleet or a snow/sleet mix changing to snow in east-central WI. && .GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Storm Warning until midnight CST tonight for WIZ005-010. Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM CST this evening for WIZ022- 035>040-045-048>050. Winter Weather Advisory until 9 PM CST this evening for WIZ011>013-018>021-030-031-073-074. && UPDATE.........Skowronski SHORT TERM.....Kieckbusch LONG TERM......Kallas AVIATION.......Skowronski
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Green Bay WI 406 AM CST Tue Feb 22 2022 WIZ005-010>013-018>022-030-031-035>040-045-048>050-073-074-231015- 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- 406 AM CST Tue Feb 22 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north-central and northeast Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Hazardous travel conditions will continue today into tonight as wintry precipitation continues across the area. Snow is expected across northern Wisconsin. A mix of freezing rain, sleet, and snow is likely along and south of a line from Wisconsin Rapids to Oconto to northern Door County this morning and early afternoon, before transitioning to snow in the mid to late afternoon. The wintry precipitation will taper off from south to north during the late afternoon and evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday Hazardous travel conditions are possible again Thursday afternoon into Thursday night as another round of light snow affects the area. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to report snow or ice accumulations to the National Weather Service in Green Bay. LMZ521-522-541>543-231015- The Bay of Green Bay south of a line from Cedar River MI to Rock Island Passage-Lake Michigan from Washington Island to Sheboygan- 406 AM CST Tue Feb 22 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest Lake Michigan and the waters of Green Bay. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. Kieckbusch/Kallas
PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREEN BAY WI
738 AM CST TUE FEB 22 2022
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 AM SNOW 1 SSE WASHINGTON ISLAND 45.36N 86.89W
02/22/2022 M3.5 INCH DOOR WI CO-OP OBSERVER
CO-OP OBSERVER STATION WASW3 WASHINGTON
ISLAND.
0710 AM SNOW 10 NE BOULDER JUNCTION 46.19N 89.46W
02/22/2022 M3.3 INCH VILAS WI COCORAHS
COCORAHS STATION WI-VL-9 BOULDER JUNCTION 9
ENE.
0700 AM SNOW 2 ENE ELLISON BAY 45.26N 87.03W
02/22/2022 M2.5 INCH DOOR WI COCORAHS
COCORAHS STATION WI-DR-5 ELLISON BAY 1 ENE.
0700 AM SNOW 2 N SISTER BAY 45.20N 87.11W
02/22/2022 M2.0 INCH DOOR WI COCORAHS
COCORAHS STATION WI-DR-6 SISTER BAY 1 N.
0659 AM SNOW EAGLE RIVER 45.91N 89.24W
02/22/2022 M1.8 INCH VILAS WI CO-OP OBSERVER
CO-OP OBSERVER STATION EGRW3 EAGLE RIVER -
SOUTH.
0600 AM SNOW 2 ESE ATHELSTANE 45.42N 88.06W
02/22/2022 M1.5 INCH MARINETTE WI CO-OP OBSERVER
CO-OP OBSERVER STATION ASTW3 ATHELSTANE 1.6
E.
0630 AM SNOW FISH CREEK 45.12N 87.23W
02/22/2022 M1.5 INCH DOOR WI CO-OP OBSERVER
CO-OP OBSERVER STATION FISW3 FISH CREEK 1 E
WWTP.
0600 AM SNOW 1 SE WILLOW RESERVOIR 45.70N 89.83W
02/22/2022 M1.4 INCH ONEIDA WI CO-OP OBSERVER
CO-OP OBSERVER STATION WILW3 WILLOW.
0700 AM SNOW 4 ESE CALDRON FALLS RES 45.36N 88.19W
02/22/2022 M1.4 INCH MARINETTE WI CO-OP OBSERVER
CO-OP OBSERVER STATION CRVW3 ATHELSTANE 6
SW.
0710 AM SNOW 1 NW ARGONNE 45.67N 88.90W
02/22/2022 M1.1 INCH FOREST WI CO-OP OBSERVER
CO-OP OBSERVER STATION AGNW3 ARGONNE 1.5 NW.
0700 AM SNOW 1 SSE HAZELHURST 45.78N 89.70W
02/22/2022 M1.0 INCH ONEIDA WI COCORAHS
COCORAHS STATION WI-ON-8 HAZELHURST 2.1 SSE.
0700 AM SNOW 1 ENE MOUNTAIN 45.18N 88.46W
02/22/2022 M1.0 INCH OCONTO WI COCORAHS
COCORAHS STATION WI-OC-8 MOUNTAIN 0.9 E.
0700 AM SNOW 4 NE BAILEYS HARBOR 45.09N 87.07W
02/22/2022 M1.0 INCH DOOR WI COCORAHS
COCORAHS STATION WI-DR-11 BAILEYS HARBOR 3
ENE.
1030 PM SNOW 1 S RHINELANDER 45.62N 89.41W
02/21/2022 M0.9 INCH ONEIDA WI CO-OP OBSERVER
CO-OP OBSERVER STATION RHRW3 RHINELANDER.
&&Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Green Bay WI 916 AM CST Tue Feb 22 2022 WIZ005-010>013-018>021-030-073-221630- Vilas-Oneida-Forest-Florence-Northern Marinette County-Lincoln- Langlade-Menominee-Northern Oconto County-Marathon- Southern Marinette County- 916 AM CST Tue Feb 22 2022 ...SNOW WILL INCREASE LATE THIS MORNING... Scattered light snow or flurries will continue across north-central and far northeast Wisconsin through mid-morning, with only a light accumulation. The snow will increase significantly during the late morning and continue into the afternoon, and could become heavy at times. A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect. Roads will remain snow covered and hazardous in spots, so motorists should use extra caution. WIZ022-031-035>040-045-048>050-074-221630- Door-Shawano-Wood-Portage-Waupaca-Outagamie-Brown-Kewaunee- Waushara-Winnebago-Calumet-Manitowoc-Southern Oconto County- 916 AM CST Tue Feb 22 2022 ...WINTRY PRECIPITATION WILL INCREASE LATE THIS MORNING... Patchy light snow and freezing drizzle will continue southeast of a line from Marshfield to Clintonville to Sturgeon Bay through mid-morning. A light glaze of ice or a dusting of snow can be expected. Precipitation will increase again during the late morning and continue into the afternoon, and may be accompanied by a few rumbles of thunder. They heavy precipitation will likely fall as a mix of sleet and snow or just heavy snow. Brief periods of significantly reduced visibility area possible, which could greatly affect travel. The precipitation will change to all snow from west to east during the mid to late afternoon. A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect. Roads will remain ice or snow covered and hazardous in spots, so motorists should use extreme caution. Skowronski
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Green Bay WI 1031 AM CST Tue Feb 22 2022 WIZ005-010>013-018>021-030-073-221830- Vilas-Oneida-Forest-Florence-Northern Marinette County-Lincoln- Langlade-Menominee-Northern Oconto County-Marathon- Southern Marinette County- 1031 AM CST Tue Feb 22 2022 ...SNOW WILL INCREASE MID-DAY, COULD BE HEAVY A TIMES THIS AFTERNOON... At 1025 am, radar and surface weather observations indicated occasional light snow and flurries across north-central, far northeast, and portions of central Wisconsin. An expanding area of moderate to occasionally heavy mixed precipitation was over the southwest part of the state. That precipitation is expected to continue to expand and spread northeast, and will overspread central and northern Wisconsin during the mid-day hours. It should transition to all snow by the time it arrives in the area. So snow should be widespread across the area during the mid to late afternoon, and it could be heavy at times. Northeast winds gusting to about 25 mph may produce some blowing and drifting of the snow. Roads were reported to already be snow covered and slippery, and travel conditions will likely worsen considerably once the snow picks up during the afternoon. Anyone traveling across the area today should be prepared for hazardous travel conditions, and allow extra time to reach their destination. WIZ022-031-035>040-045-048>050-074-221830- Door-Shawano-Wood-Portage-Waupaca-Outagamie-Brown-Kewaunee- Waushara-Winnebago-Calumet-Manitowoc-Southern Oconto County- 1031 AM CST Tue Feb 22 2022 ...WINTRY PRECIPITATION WILL INCREASE LATE THIS MORNING, GRADUALLY TRANSITION TO ALL SNOW THIS AFTERNOON... At 1025 am, radar and surface weather observations indicated occasional freezing drizzle, light snow, and sleet continued across portions of central and east-central Wisconsin. An expanding area of moderate to occasionally heavy mixed precipitation was over the southwest part of the state. It will continue to expand as it surges northeast across central and east- central Wisconsin during the mid-day hours. They heavy precipitation is likely to fall as a mix of snow and sleet. Brief bursts of heavy snow are also possible. Periods of snow and sleet will continue during the afternoon in the wake of the lead band of precipitation. The mixed precipitation will gradually transition to all snow during the mid to late afternoon. Northeast winds gusting to 25 to 30 mph may produce some blowing and drifting of the snow. Roads were reported to already be snow or ice covered and slippery, and travel conditions will likely worsen considerably as the heavier precipitation moves through the area. Anyone traveling across the area today should be prepared for hazardous travel conditions, and allow extra time to reach their destination. Skowronski
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Green Bay WI 1225 PM CST Tue Feb 22 2022 WIZ005-010>013-018>022-030-031-035>040-045-048>050-073-074-222030- 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- 1225 PM CST Tue Feb 22 2022 ...TRAVEL CONDITIONS LIKELY TO DETERIORATE CONSIDERABLY THIS AFTERNOON... At 1220 pm, radar and surface weather observations indicated an increasing band of precipitation surging northeast across central and into northern Wisconsin. The precipitation was falling as mainly snow north and west of a line from Wausau to Wausaukee, and as a mix of sleet and snow across the rest of the area. The precipitation is expected to continue to increase in intensity and become steadier during the early afternoon. The mix will gradually change to all snow from northwest to southeast during the mid to late afternoon hours. Roads across the area were reported to already be snow or ice covered and slippery. Travel conditions are likely to deteriorate considerably during the afternoon as the precipitation intensifies and transitions to all snow. The afternoon commute could be particularly difficult, especially across north-central Wisconsin where the snow will be heavy at times. Anyone traveling across the area this afternoon should be prepared for hazardous travel conditions, and allow extra time to reach their destination. Skowronski
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
2 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.
The highest snowfall totals across Vilas County included 7.5 inches in Manitowish Waters and 6.2 inches near Woodruff.
The highest snowfall total across Oneida County included 6.8 inches south of Woodruff.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wisconsin in 2022Every state in 2022This day in weather historyWarnings in Wisconsin, February 2022
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: 1000645, 1000646.