A complex spring storm brought periods of freezing rain and light snow to northern and central Wisconsin from Saturday afternoon (3/29) through Sunday morning (3/30). 60 inches with widespread tree damage and power outages as easterly winds gusted to 20 to 30 mph.
Every event with a place to put it; 19 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 complex spring storm brought periods of freezing rain and light snow to northern and central Wisconsin from Saturday afternoon (3/29) through Sunday morning (3/30). Ice totals ranged from 0.25 to 0.60 inches with widespread tree damage and power outages as easterly winds gusted to 20 to 30 mph. More than 90,000 customers were without power across northeast Wisconsin during this event. Light snowfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches were noted across portions of north-central Wisconsin with the first round of precipitation.
There was a lull in the precipitation later Sunday morning (3/30) into the early afternoon. The mixed precipitation changed over to all snow Sunday afternoon (3/30) and continued into the evening as winds became northerly and gusted to 20 to 30 mph. Snowfall amounts were generally 3 to 7 inches during the second round of snow across north-central Wisconsin, with the highest snowfall amounts including 7 inches in Florence (Florence Co.) and 6.7 inches in Eagle River (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 Mar 29, 11:28 AM CST, 1 hour 32 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Green Bay WI 1228 PM CDT Sat Mar 29 2025 Updated aviation portion for 18Z TAF issuance .KEY MESSAGES... - A significant ice accumulation is likely across north-central and far northeast Wisconsin tonight through Sunday afternoon. There is a 60-90% chance that the area between Merrill and Iron Mountain will see at least 0.25" of ice accumulation. - The freezing rain could create significant disruptions in travel, along with damage to trees and power outages. Ice Storm Warnings and a Winter Storm Warning have been issued for north- central and far northeast Wisconsin. - There is a 20-30% chance of thunderstorms across the forecast area tonight. Some of the stronger storms could produce small hail. - The weekend precipitation will lead to fast flows and rising rivers and streams into next week. Isolated minor flooding is possible. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 446 AM CDT Sat Mar 29 2025 Short Term...Today Through Sunday Night Changes: Ice storm warnings and Winter Weather Advisories have been extended south and east. Ice accumulations have increased from the previous forecast. Discussion: Scattered thunderstorms continued across portions of central and east-central Wisconsin early this morning. Some brief heavy rain and small hail are possible with the strong storms. Temperatures were in the 30s, meanwhile it was still in the lower to middle 60s across southern Wisconsin. During freezing rain/ice storm events in March and early April, the Hudson Bay high plays a significant role by providing a cold and dry air mass flowing southwest into the area on gusty northeast winds. This is important tonight as the colder air that will help transition the precipitation over to freezing rain and sleet is a little further south than expected. The reason why this is mentioned, as the precipitation is ongoing tonight, surface dewpoints continue to fall by several degrees. I can't recall the last time I saw dewpoints dropping several degrees after several hours of precipitation. There is still a lot going on this morning, so lets get to it. At the surface, the frontal boundary south of the area is expected to sag southward today. Meanwhile, the precipitation across the north should diminish or end as the first wave of low pressure moves east of the area. Across central and east-central Wisconsin where the 850mb warm front resides, 850mb winds will override the surface warm front combined with steep 700/500mb lapse rates will continue to produce showers and a few storms. During the late afternoon, the 850mb warm front will lift northward as the low level jet increases late this afternoon. The strong overrunning event will lead to precipitation expanding and lifting northward during the afternoon. Scattered thunderstorms are expected to break out later this afternoon and tonight across the entire area. Small hail are likely with the stronger storms, and could not entirely rule an isolated one inch hail report. Meanwhile, the surface front will remain well south of the area today and tonight. The cold northeast flow will lock the front in place until the surface low moves up on Sunday. The surface low should pass south of the area. As mentioned before, air temperatures a few degrees cooler for tonight into Sunday. This resulted in ice accumulations increasing which resulted in Ice Storm Warnings or Winter Weather Advisories were expanded south and east. Surface dewpoints falling several degrees during a steady precipitation event occurring over several hours On Sunday, ongoing freezing rain and rain will continue. Some concern on what the impacts will be after temperatures rise to or a few degrees above freezing during the afternoon. For locations not in the advisory or warning, potentially slippery travel is possible across the Fox Valley and lakeshore Sunday night as the precipitation will likely change over to freezing rain or sleet before changing to all snow before ending. Highest. Long Term...Monday Through Friday Weather conditions across central and northeast Wisconsin quiet down for the second half of Monday as the weekend system departs. Road conditions may remain slippery, especially Monday morning. High pressure ridge allows for quiet weather for most of Tuesday, followed by another system approaching Tuesday night. Still looking at differences in the track and timing of this low progged to move across the Plains on Tuesday into Wednesday, and then through WI later Wednesday. These details affect the temperature profiles, and ultimately precipitation type. However, regardless of the specific track this event is currently looking more like rain/snow, as supposed to a variety of mixed/icy ptypes. There could be a brief period of freezing rain Tuesday night/early Wed as surface temps fall below freezing, but soundings otherwise suggest rain or snow. With onset timing looking later Tuesday evening, temperatures would suggest mainly snow (with perhaps a little freezing rain) Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, and then becoming all rain Wednesday afternoon in central and east- central WI, with a mix of rain and snow across northern WI. Any remaining rain Wednesday night may transition back to all snow. Determining snow totals and ultimate impacts is challenging given the multiple transitions and warming daytime temps and roads. NBM probabilities show a 30-50% chance for at least 3" north and west of the Fox Valley, and closer to 20% chance from the Fox Valley to east- central WI. There is a 25% chance for a tenth of a inch of ice in north- central WI. Also of note, a 30-50% chance of precip greater than 1.0" for central and northeast WI, which would add to many already swollen rivers and streams. Temperatures will be below normal Monday and Tuesday with highs in the 30s and low 40s, and at or above normal from Wednesday through Saturday with highs in the 40s and 50s. && .AVIATION...for 18Z TAF Issuance Issued at 1227 PM CDT Sat Mar 29 2025 Poor flying conditions will prevail through the TAF period. Low pressure will track into the Great Lakes spreading a mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow across the region. The snow will be confined to far north central WI, likely north of RHI. Mainly freezing rain is expected at RHI/AUW/CWA with some sleet mixing in at times. Significant icing is expected. Mainly rain is expected at ATW/GRB, but some light icing will be possible if the surface temp can drop to or slightly below freezing. Rain is expected at MTW. Look for mainly IFR/LIFR conditions area-wide. There will be small chances for thunder (under 30%) as elevated instability arrives tonight, but have left thunder out as chances are too low. Winds will remain northeast into Sunday, gusting to 25 kts, locally higher near the Bay and lake. && .GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Storm Warning from 7 PM this evening to 7 PM CDT Sunday for WIZ005. Ice Storm Warning from 7 PM this evening to 7 PM CDT Sunday for WIZ010>013-018>021-030-031-073. Winter Weather Advisory from 7 PM this evening to 7 PM CDT Sunday for WIZ035>037-074. && DISCUSSION.....Eckberg/KLJ AVIATION.......Bersch
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Green Bay WI 1115 AM CDT Sat Mar 29 2025 WIZ005-010>013-018>022-030-031-035>040-045-048>050-073-074-301615- 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- 1115 AM CDT Sat Mar 29 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north-central and northeast Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight A few slippery spots are possible in locations where temps are near freezing this afternoon, mainly across northern and far northeast WI. Hazardous to dangerous travel is expected tonight across north- central and far northeast Wisconsin due to a potentially destructive ice storm. Snow may mix in at times across far north-central Wisconsin. Significant disruptions in travel, along with damage to trees and power outages are expected. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday The ice storm will continue on Sunday. Storm total ice accumulations will be significant, ranging from two to eight tenths of an inch across north-central and far northeast Wisconsin. Some snow is expected across the far north. This will create significant disruptions in travel, along with damage to trees and power outages. Ice Storm Warnings, Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect. Hazardous travel may develop Sunday night across the Fox Valley and lakeshore as the rain changes to sleet and freezing rain before changing to all snow. The widespread precipitation could lead to fast flows and minor flooding along the shorelines of area rivers and streams early next week. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to report any freezing drizzle or freezing rain this morning, and any ice accumulation tonight through Sunday. Spotters are also requested to report any hail from thunderstorms. LMZ521-522-541>543-301615- The Bay of Green Bay south of a line from Cedar River MI to Rock Island Passage-Lake Michigan from Washington Island to Sheboygan- 1115 AM CDT Sat Mar 29 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest Lake Michigan and the waters of Green Bay. .DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight There is a chance of thunderstorms late this afternoon and tonight. Some of the storms could contain small hail. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. Bersch
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
811 AM CDT Sat Mar 29 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0600 AM Rain 7 NNE Hamburg 45.18N 89.85W
03/29/2025 M2.03 Inch Lincoln WI CO-OP Observer
CO-OP Observer station MLLW3 Merrill 8 W.
0700 AM Rain 2 N Sister Bay 45.20N 87.11W
03/29/2025 M2.03 Inch Door WI Cocorahs
Cocorahs station WI-DR-6 Sister Bay 1 N.
0530 AM Rain Fish Creek 45.12N 87.23W
03/29/2025 M1.93 Inch Door WI CO-OP Observer
CO-OP Observer station FISW3 Fish Creek 1 E
WWTP.
0700 AM Rain 1 WNW Ellison Bay 45.25N 87.07W
03/29/2025 M1.82 Inch Door WI Cocorahs
Cocorahs station WI-DR-15 Ellison Bay 0.0
SE.
0701 AM Rain 9 E Amberg 45.48N 87.81W
03/29/2025 M1.56 Inch Marinette WI CO-OP Observer
CO-OP Observer station ABGW3 Amberg 9 E.
0700 AM Rain 2 NE Egg Harbor 45.06N 87.25W
03/29/2025 M1.42 Inch Door WI Cocorahs
Cocorahs station WI-DR-24 Egg Harbor 2.4
ENE.
0600 AM Rain 4 E Stiles 44.86N 87.98W
03/29/2025 M1.36 Inch Oconto WI Cocorahs
Cocorahs station WI-OC-19 Oconto 5.6 WSW.
0700 AM Rain 1 N Amherst 44.47N 89.28W
03/29/2025 M1.34 Inch Portage WI Cocorahs
Cocorahs station WI-PT-26 Amherst 1.5 N.
0700 AM Rain Baileys Harbor 45.06N 87.13W
03/29/2025 M1.29 Inch Door WI Cocorahs
Cocorahs station WI-DR-32 Baileys Harbor 0.3
SSW.
0630 AM Rain 1 SE Oconto Falls 44.86N 88.13W
03/29/2025 M1.28 Inch Oconto WI Cocorahs
Cocorahs station WI-OC-15 Oconto Falls 1.0
SE.
0755 AM Rain 2 NW Merrill 45.20N 89.72W
03/29/2025 M1.26 Inch Lincoln WI AWOS
AWOS station KRRL Merrill Airport.
0700 AM Rain 1 NNE Wausau 44.98N 89.62W
03/29/2025 M1.25 Inch Marathon WI Cocorahs
Cocorahs station WI-MT-37 Wausau 1.6 NE.
0700 AM Rain 1 ENE Mountain 45.18N 88.46W
03/29/2025 M1.22 Inch Oconto WI Cocorahs
Cocorahs station WI-OC-8 Mountain 0.9 E.
0600 AM Rain 1 NE Wausau 44.97N 89.62W
03/29/2025 M1.20 Inch Marathon WI Cocorahs
Cocorahs station WI-MT-36 Wausau 1.6 ENE.
0600 AM Rain 2 ESE Athelstane 45.42N 88.06W
03/29/2025 M1.12 Inch Marinette WI CO-OP Observer
CO-OP Observer station ASTW3 Athelstane 1.6
E.
0700 AM Rain 4 N Brussels 44.78N 87.62W
03/29/2025 M1.05 Inch Door WI Cocorahs
Cocorahs station WI-DR-9 Brussels 3 N.
&&Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
815 AM CDT Sat Mar 29 2025
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0805 AM Rain 6 N Porterfield 45.23N 87.78W
03/29/2025 M1.64 Inch Marinette WI Public
&&The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
16 ice storm, 3 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.
The highest ice total in northern Oconto County was 0.50 inches in Mountain.
The highest ice total in southern Marinette County was 0.25 inches in Pembine.
Ice totals in Door County were 0.25 to 0.50 inches.
Ice totals in Menominee County were 0.25 to 0.50 inches.
The highest ice total in southern Oconto County was 0.30 inches in Lena as well as near Sampson.
The highest ice totals across northern Marinette County included 0.30 inches near Beecher and 0.25 inches near Dunbar.
The highest ice total in Oneida County was 0.25 inches in Three Lakes.
The highest ice total in Forest County was 0.50 inches in Argonne.
The highest ice total in Forest County was 0.25 inches in Aurora.
The highest ice total in Lincoln County was 0.40 inches in Merrill.
Snowfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches fell in Vilas County along with 0.25 inches of ice in Arbor Vitae.
The highest ice total in Lincoln County was 0.80 inches in Kempster.
The highest ice total in Wood County was 0.30 inches in Wisconsin Rapids.
The highest ice total in Waupaca County was 0.30 inches in Iola.
The highest ice total in Marathon County was 0.40 inches in Tigerton.
The highest ice total in Portage County was 0.50 inches in Plover.
The highest ice total in Marathon County was 0.25 inches in Weston as well as near Knowlton.
Light freezing rain changed over to heavy snow during the afternoon. The highest snowfall total in Vilas County was 6.7 inches in Eagle River.
Light freezing rain changed over to heavy snow during the afternoon with north northwest winds gusting to 20 to 30 mph. The highest snowfall total in Florence County was 7 inches in Florence.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wisconsin in 2025Every state in 2025This day in weather historyWarnings in Wisconsin, March 2025
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: 1233188, 1233190, 1233198, 1233187, 1233189, 1233191, 1233182, 1233183, 1233184, 1233185, 1246875, 1233186, 1233195, 1233197, 1233194, 1233196, 1233193, 1233209, 1233210.