A rapidly intensifying area of low pressure moving across Illinois to southern Lake Michigan on the afternoon of April 2 brought copious amounts of rain and heavy wet snow, damaging winds, and thunderstorms. The storm left over 100,000 people across the state without power during the height of the storm.
Every event with a place to put it; 18 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 rapidly intensifying area of low pressure moving across Illinois to southern Lake Michigan on the afternoon of April 2 brought copious amounts of rain and heavy wet snow, damaging winds, and thunderstorms. The storm left over 100,000 people across the state without power during the height of the storm.
Rain and snow developed during the morning of April 2, mainly south of Highway 29, which continued into the early afternoon. The rain was mainly confined to the Fox Valley and lake shore. With air and road temperatures above freezing, little snow accumulation was noted through the mid-afternoon hours. As the low pressure system moved northeast and strengthened, a band of heavier precipitation moved into the Fox Valley and lake shore by the late afternoon, resulting in a changeover to heavy wet snow with rapidly increasing snowfall rates. As a result, travel conditions deteriorated quickly around sunset due to the cooling temperatures, high snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour, and very low visibilities down to 1/4 mile at times. Thunderstorms were also reported across northeast Wisconsin, especially in the Green Bay metro area, where vivid cloud to ground lightning strikes were observed during the evening.
Strong north-northeast winds developed during the late afternoon on April 2 and continued through the evening, with most locations recording wind gusts of 30 to 50 mph. The highest peak gust of 56 mph was recorded at the Green Bay Airport. The combination of the strong winds and concrete-type snow led to numerous reports of trees and power lines down across northeast Wisconsin. At the height of the storm, over 100,000 people across the state (mostly in northeast Wisconsin) were without power. The strong northeast winds created just over a 2-foot rise in water levels at the mouth of the Bay of Green Bay.
The storm brought liquid precipitation (rain & snow water equivalent) totals of 1 to 2.50 inches across northeast Wisconsin, including the Fox Valley and lakeshore, with lower totals to the north and west. Snowfall totals over 6 inches were noted across portions of north-central and far northeast Wisconsin, southward into the Fox Valley, and as far west as Wautoma and Plover.
Some of the highest snowfall totals included 11 inches in Phelps (Vilas Co.), 9.5 inches in Pulcifer (Shawano Co.), 8 inches in Greenville (Outagamie Co.), near Rhinelander (Oneida Co.), as well as near McNaughton (Oneida Co.), 7.4 inches in Omro (Winnebago Co.), and 7 inches in Oconto (southern Oconto Co.), High Cliff State Park (Calumet Co.), near Merrill (Lincoln Co.), as well as near Hamburg (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 Apr 2, 5:49 AM CST, 3 hours 11 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Green Bay WI 649 AM CDT Tue Apr 2 2024 Updated aviation portion for 12Z TAF issuance .KEY MESSAGES... - A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for all but the far western part of the forecast area this afternoon through midday Wednesday. Accumulations of 8 to 12+ inches are expected over most of the Warning area, along with winds gusting to 35 to 45 mph. A Winter Weather Advisory has been posted for our western- most tier of counties, where 4 to 6 inches of snow is expected, along with wind gusts to 35 to 45 mph. - Winds will be on the increase this afternoon with strong gusts expected through Wednesday. Widespread wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph will be possible during this time. Areas of blowing and drifting snow will be possible tonight into Wednesday. A Gale Warning has been issued for Lake Michigan from late this afternoon into Wednesday night. - Commutes this afternoon and Wednesday morning will likely be slow or difficult. Impacts will likely be the highest for the Wednesday morning commute, but slushy and slippery roads will be possible for this afternoon's commute as well. - Warmer temperatures at the end of the week will melt much of the snow and lead to rises in area rivers, especially over eastern Wisconsin where heavier snows are anticipated. A few rivers will likely surpass bankfull, with the possibility of reaching minor flood stage. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 453 AM CDT Tue Apr 2 2024 Short Term...Today...Tonight...and Wednesday Forecast concerns include snow trends/amounts, strong winds and winter weather headlines this afternoon through Wednesday. The expected lull in the precipitation was occurring early this morning, though patchy light rain/snow was still being reported in parts of C/EC WI due to weak mid-level frontogenetic forcing. A potent northern stream short-wave trough was digging into the eastern Dakotas while a southern stream short-wave and 120 kt upper level jet approached from the Central Plains. The phasing of these two pieces of energy will dictate the details of the short-term forecast. Precipitation/Snow Trends and Amounts: After a relatively quiet start to the day, precipitation will quickly ramp up during the late morning and afternoon as the LFQ of a 130-150 kt jet streak and the Central Plains negatively-tilted short-wave shift into the region. The forcing associated with these features will cause low pressure to rapidly deepen as it nears southern Lake Michigan. The precipitation will initially fall as a mix of rain/snow due to boundary layer temps in the middle to upper 30s. However, very strong dynamics and slight cooling of surface temps and dew points should change the mix over to mainly snow in the late afternoon and evening. The heaviest snow is expected to occur in northeast and parts of east central WI this evening, when intense mid-level frontogenetic forcing and isentropic lift will occur. Will likely see accumulations of 1+ inch/hour through the evening there. Significant snow continues overnight into Wednesday morning, especially over far northeast WI. Overall, models have shifted farther west with the phased low pressure system, and have increased QPF amounts. The result is higher snowfall accumulations ranging from 4-6 inches far west to 8-14 inches elsewhere. The highest amounts are expected in far NE WI. Warmer boundary layer temps near the lakeshore will also likely result in lower accums in eastern Manitowoc and Kewaunee counties, though inland areas should still see warning criteria snow. Have upgraded the Winter Storm Watch to a Warning and expanded another tier of counties westward. Have issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the western- most tier of counties, and this can easily be upgraded to a warning if snowfall amounts edge upward a bit. The end time of the headlines will remain at 18z Wed, as models show some mid-level dry air moving into the region Wednesday afternoon. Winds will also be increasing late this afternoon into tonight, with gusts reaching 35 to 45 mph. Despite a fairly wet snow, winds this strong should at least result in patchy blowing/drifting in open areas. Snow covered tree limbs may also break due to the strong winds, causing power outages in some areas. Long Term...Wednesday Night Through Monday A highly-amplified flow to exist at the onset with deep closed upper lows over the western and eastern CONUS and an upper ridge over the central Plains. By the weekend, the eastern upper low moves into the Canadian Maritimes, while the western upper low shifts across the Rockies into the northern Plains. Rain and/or snow showers over northeast WI should finally taper off by Thursday afternoon with dry weather through the weekend as the upper ridge pushes into the Great Lakes. Precipitation trends on the upswing by Sunday night as a shortwave trough lifts northeast into the western Great Lakes ahead of the northern Plains low. Temperatures to run below normal through Friday, then be at or slightly above normal this weekend. Wednesday night and Thursday... Vertically-stacked system is forecast to move from northwest IN into western/central OH Wednesday night, but cyclonic flow over WI will continue to bring additional rain and/or snow showers to the forecast area, especially north-central and east-central WI thanks to a bit of lake enhancement. Additional accumulations of 1 to 2 inches over parts of Vilas County where precipitation type to be all snow and less elsewhere where rain to mix with snow. Windy conditions to persist through the night with evening gusts of 35 to 45 mph. Min temperatures to range from the middle to upper 20s north-central WI, to the lower 30s eastern WI. Even as this system moves into the New England states on Thursday, cyclonic flow lingers over WI through at least the morning hours before gradually easing in the afternoon. A surface ridge axis is expected to start building into the Upper Midwest with any snow showers becoming more isolated in the afternoon. Little if any additional accumulation is anticipated. Windy conditions should prevail for much of Thursday with gusts of 25 to 35 mph. Max temperatures on Thursday to be in the upper 30s to lower 40s north, lower to middle 40s south. Thursday night and Friday... This surface ridge is forecast to slowly move to the east and not reach the western Great Lakes until Friday due to the amplified flow aloft. Therefore, expect a slow decrease in clouds Thursday night and increasing sunshine on Friday. Winds will finally start to subside Thursday night, but remain in the 10 to 15 mph range through Friday. Temperatures to remain slightly below normal with max temperatures Friday in the lower 40s near Lake MI, lower to middle 40s north/east-central WI and upper 40s for central WI. Friday night through Sunday... Dry and warmer conditions are expected this weekend as both the surface ridge and an upper ridge move across the region. Look for mostly clear skies at night and most sunny skies for Saturday and most of Sunday. As the next system moves into the northern Plains on Sunday, clouds in advance will begin to increase Sunday afternoon. Temperatures will warm with readings for both Saturday and Sunday in the middle to upper 40s near Lake MI, lower to middle 50s inland. Sunday night and Monday... Precipitation chances to arrive Sunday evening as a strong push of WAA interacts with a northward moving mid-level shortwave trough. The 00Z GFS has shifted south with the upper low compared to other models, thus there a consistency issues that will need to be addressed down the road. For now, will mention chance pops Sunday night and slight chance pops for Monday. Temperatures to be above normal with readings on Monday in the upper 40s lakeside, lower to middle 50s north and middle to upper 50s south. && .AVIATION...for 12Z TAF Issuance Issued at 636 AM CDT Tue Apr 2 2024 VFR conditions were observed across northern WI early this morning, though MVFR/IFR ceilings and patchy light rain/snow were pushing into C/EC WI. The regional radar mosaic showed a more concentrated area of precipitation developing over S WI, N IL and IA and shifting north toward the forecast area. Ahead of a deepening low pressure, moderate to heavy precip will quickly surge across the region later this morning and afternoon. Flight conditions will deteriorate to IFR or possibly LIFR in a mix of rain and snow. By late afternoon the primary precip type looks to become snow across most of the region, with heavy snow expected across much of NE/EC WI, and light to occasionally moderate snow farther west. Light to moderate snow will continue regionwide overnight into Wednesday morning before gradually tapering off. As the deepening low wraps up over the central Great Lakes, surface winds will increase with gusts to 25 to 35 kts expected by this evening. Winds aloft will be strong enough to also support LLWS at most of the TAF sites by late afternoon/early evening. && .MARINE... Issued at 453 AM CDT Tue Apr 2 2024 A rapidly deepening low pressure system approaching the central Great Lakes region will cause a tight pressure gradient across the western Great Lakes region this afternoon into Wednesday night. Northerly winds will gust to 35 to 45 knots at times as this low slowly moves through the central Great Lakes, providing for a prolonged period of high winds from tonight into Wednesday night. Given the potential for gale force winds, a Gale Warning is in effect for the nearshore waters of Lake Michigan and the Bay of Green bay during this period. && .GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Weather Advisory from 1 PM this afternoon to 1 PM CDT Wednesday for WIZ005-010-018-030-035. Winter Storm Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to 1 PM CDT Wednesday for WIZ011>013-019>022-031-036>040-045-048>050-073-074. && DISCUSSION.....Kieckbusch/Kallas AVIATION.......Kieckbusch MARINE.........Kallas
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Green Bay WI 458 AM CDT Tue Apr 2 2024 WIZ005-010>013-018>022-030-031-035>040-045-048>050-073-074-031000- 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- 458 AM CDT Tue Apr 2 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north-central and northeast Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Today through Wednesday Accumulating snow is expected to bring hazardous travel conditions from this afternoon through midday Wednesday, with the greatest accumulations across eastern Wisconsin. Increasing winds paired with falling snow will significantly reduce visibilities at times. A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for the expected heavy snow and gusty winds from this afternoon through early Wednesday afternoon for all of northeast and east central Wisconsin. A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for parts of central and north central Wisconsin, where less snow is expected. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday night through Monday A chance of snow showers will continue Wednesday night into Thursday morning, before ending. Little additional accumulation is anticipated. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to report snowfall amounts to the National Weather Service in Green Bay. LMZ521-522-541>543-031000- The Bay of Green Bay south of a line from Cedar River MI to Rock Island Passage-Lake Michigan from Washington Island to Sheboygan- 458 AM CDT Tue Apr 2 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest Lake Michigan and the waters of Green Bay. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight A Small Craft Advisory is in effect for brisk northeast winds and building waves through mid-afternoon. A Gale Warning then goes into effect from mid-afternoon through tonight for north gales. High waves are expected. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday The Gale Warning continues Wednesday into Wednesday evening for prevailing north gales. Gusty north winds are forecast to linger into Thursday night. Kieckbusch/Kallas
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
18 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.
The highest snowfall total in Portage County was 6.7 inches in Almond. Winds gusted to 30 to 35 mph at times Tuesday afternoon (4/2) and evening. The winds caused tree damage and power outages throughout the county, with over 2,000 without power.
The highest snowfall total in Forest County was 6 inches near Argonne. The storm caused power outages throughout the county, with over 1,600 without power.
The highest snowfall total in Florence County was 6 inches in Spread Eagle.
The highest snowfall totals across Lincoln County included 7 inches near Merrill as well as near Hamburg and 6.4 inches in Tomahawk. Winds gusted to 30 to 40 mph at times Tuesday afternoon (4/2) into Wednesday morning (4/3).
The highest snowfall totals across Langlade County included 6.5 inches in Antigo, 6.3 inches in White Lake, and 6 inches in Summit Lake. Winds gusted to 30 to 40 mph at times Tuesday afternoon (4/2) into Wednesday morning (4/3).
The highest snowfall total in Oneida County was 8 inches near Rhinelander as well as near McNaughton. Winds gusted to 30 to 40 mph at times Tuesday afternoon (4/2) and evening. The winds caused tree damage and power outages throughout the county, with over 1,200 without power.
The highest snowfall totals across Vilas County included 11 inches in Phelps and 8.8 inches near Eagle River. Winds gusted to 30 to 40 mph at times Tuesday afternoon (4/2) into Wednesday morning (4/3). The winds caused tree damage and power outages throughout the county, with over 1,700 without power.
The highest snowfall totals across Waupaca County included 6.8 inches in Waupaca and 6 inches near Northland. Winds gusted to 30 to 35 mph at times Tuesday afternoon (4/2) into Wednesday morning (4/3). The winds caused tree damage and power outages throughout the county, with over 6,100 without power.
The highest snowfall totals across Outagamie County included 8 inches in Greenville, 7.8 inches in Appleton, 7.2 inches near New London and 6.8 inches in Shiocton. Winds gusted to 30 to 40 mph at times Tuesday afternoon (4/2) into Wednesday morning (4/3). The winds caused tree damage and power outages throughout the county, with over 16,400 without power.
The highest snowfall total in Waushara County was 6.9 inches near Wautoma. Winds gusted to around 30 mph at times Tuesday afternoon (4/2) into Wednesday morning (4/3). The winds caused tree damage and power outages throughout the county, with over 1,700 without power.
The highest snowfall total in northern Oconto County was 6.3 inches in Mountain. Winds gusted to 30 to 40 mph at times Tuesday afternoon (4/2) into Wednesday morning (4/3). The winds caused tree damage and power outages throughout the county, with over 17,400 without power.
The highest snowfall totals across southern Oconto County included 7 inches in Oconto and 6.1 inches in Pulaski. Winds gusted to 30 to 40 mph at times Tuesday afternoon (4/2) into Wednesday morning (4/3). The winds caused tree damage and power outages throughout the county, with over 17,400 without power.
The highest snowfall totals across Shawano County included 9.5 inches in Pulcifer and 6.3 inches in Split Rock. Winds gusted to 30 to 40 mph at times Tuesday afternoon (4/2) into Wednesday morning (4/3). The winds caused tree damage and power outages throughout the county, with over 6,500 without power.
The highest snowfall totals across Calumet County included 7 inches in High Cliff State Park and 6 inches in Chilton. Winds gusted to 30 to 40 mph at times Tuesday afternoon (4/2) into Wednesday morning (4/3). The winds caused tree damage and power outages throughout the county, with over 5,500 without power.
The highest snowfall total in southern Marinette County was 6 inches in Pembine. Winds gusted to 30 to 50 mph at times Tuesday afternoon (4/2) into Wednesday morning (4/3), with a peak wind gust of 49 mph measured at the Menominee, MI airport. The winds caused tree damage and power outages throughout the county, with over 20,600 without power.
The highest snowfall totals across Brown County included 6.5 inches in Ashwaubenon and 6.3 inches near Suamico. Winds gusted to 35 to 56 mph at times Tuesday afternoon (4/2) into Wednesday morning (4/3), with a peak gust of 56 mph measured at the Green Bay airport. The winds caused tree damage and power outages throughout the county, with over 21,300 without power.
The highest snowfall total in Winnebago County was 7.4 inches in Omro. Winds gusted to 30 to 46 mph at times Tuesday afternoon (4/2) into Wednesday morning (4/3), with a peak gust of 46 mph measured at the Oshkosh airport. The winds caused tree damage and power outages throughout the county, with over 4,800 without power.
The highest snowfall totals across Door County included 6.5 inches in Ellison Bay and 6 inches in Forestville. Winds gusted to 30 to 46 mph at times Tuesday afternoon (4/2) into Wednesday morning (4/3), with a peak gust of 46 mph measured at Chambers Island. The winds caused tree damage and power outages throughout the county, with over 15,500 without power.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wisconsin in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Wisconsin, April 2024
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: 1161618, 1161619, 1161620, 1161621, 1161622, 1161961, 1161617, 1161946, 1161947, 1161951, 1161623, 1161624, 1161625, 1161626, 1161945, 1161949, 1161952, 1161950.