A deepening low pressure system brought a swath of heavy snow and gusty winds as it tracked from central Illinois early Wednesday morning (3/5) through Wednesday evening. Snowfall totals across northern Wisconsin were generally 8 to 12 inches.
Every event with a place to put it; 5 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 deepening low pressure system brought a swath of heavy snow and gusty winds as it tracked from central Illinois early Wednesday morning (3/5) through Wednesday evening. Snowfall totals across northern Wisconsin were generally 8 to 12 inches. Winds gusted to 35 to 45 mph Wednesday afternoon (3/5), leading to blowing snow.| |Some of the highest snowfall totals included 13 inches in Spread Eagle (Florence Co.), 11 inches near Phelps (Vilas Co.), 10.5 inches in Pelican Lake (Oneida Co.), 10.1 inches near Rhinelander (Oneida Co.) as well as near Mc Naughton (Oneida Co.), 9.9 inches in Argonne (Forest Co.), and 6.2 inches in Tomahawk (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 Mar 4, 5:47 PM CST, 3 hours 13 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Green Bay WI 547 PM CST Tue Mar 4 2025 Updated aviation portion for 00Z TAF issuance .KEY MESSAGES... - Temperatures above freezing today, followed by moderate to heavy rain tonight, could lead to ice jams and flooding on area rivers, along with some minor urban flooding. - Travel impacts are expected this evening through Wednesday due to widespread precipitation (rain transitioning to snow) and strong, gusty winds of 35 to 45 mph. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 408 PM CST Tue Mar 4 2025 Several impacts to address over the next 36 hours as a dynamic upper trough and associated surface low track from the central Plains to lower Michigan. Models have stayed fairly consistent from the previous shift, with generally minor changes to the forecast. Current radar imagery shows light rain showers across northern WI associate with the RRQ of the upper jet and broader dynamics from this approaching system; along with moderate to heavy rainfall in southern WI associate with 700-600mb fgen and a swath of moisture with pwats around 1.0". This initial surge of rain will continue to track north and push into the GRB forecast area late this afternoon and evening (a little later than initially forecast). However, there is still plenty of moisture to result in periods of moderate to heavy rainfall, especially late this evening and overnight, from central into east-central WI. Rain totals by 6AM/Wed around 1" may lead to swelling of rivers, creeks, and localized urban ponding or in low- lying, poor drainage areas due to the frozen soil unable to accommodate this much rain. Event total liquid (rain and snow) ranges from 0.75 to 1.75". Values are still below the current flash flood guidance (which is closer to 2"), so continue to message flooding concerns with a Hydrologic Outlook. Future shifts should still watch the potential for flooding and the need for a flood watch, especially along and east of the Fox Valley. Meanwhile, rain will transition to snow from northwest to southeast. This begins in Vilas County this evening, central WI after midnight, and in the Fox Valley late Wednesday morning. As the snow begins, travel will become more difficult in those areas. Not only due to the accumulation snow, but increasing winds creating greater reductions in visibility. Made slight adjustments to the winter headlines. Upgraded Marathon, Wood, and Portage counties to the Winter Storm Warning. While most likely snowfall amounts are in the 4-6" range, just below warning criteria, the high winds and blowing snow impacts will be greater in the open areas of central WI. Snowfall totals increased across northern Marinette County, so upgraded this area to a WS.W as well. Finally, added southern Marinette and southern Oconto counties to the WW.Y due to the slight increase in snow amounts and wind. One could make an argument to add Outagamie and Winnebago counties to the advisory, but the probabilities for getting at least 3" of snow were lower here, and therefore felt less confident in the snowfall forecast due to the potential for more rain/transitioning to snow later. Event total snow is otherwise similar to the previous forecast, with 7 to 11 inches across far northern WI, 3 to 6 inches in central WI and eastward into the advisory area, and 0.5 to 2.5 inches in the Fox Valley and east-central WI. Precipitation (mainly snow by noon Wednesday) will remain widespread through Wednesday afternoon, and then taper off Wednesday the evening. Additional snowfall amounts after 6PM/Wed will be less than 1 inch. However, winds will gust from 35 to 45 mph from mid- Wednesday morning through around midnight, and still be fairly gusty Wednesday night. This will keep blowing and drifting snow concerns going through Wednesday night, especially in open areas on W-E roads. Counties not currently under a winter weather headline may need wind advisories, with the probability of getting wind gusts to 45+ mph right around 50%. Following this system the weather in northeast WI is less active with temperatures AOA normal, although some mornings may dip close to zero in far north-central WI. Some shortwave energy rounding a broad upper trough could bring light precip (mainly snow) this weekend. Current probabilities for a tenth of an inch of snow are around 40-50%. && .AVIATION...for 00Z TAF Issuance Issued at 540 PM CST Tue Mar 4 2025 Poor flying conditions expected through Wednesday afternoon and evening. Rain, scattered thunderstorms and low clouds are expected this evening into the overnight hours. Heavy rain is also likely. Later this evening and overnight, the rain will change to snow across north-central Wisconsin. The change over to all snow will transition from northwest to southeast overnight into Wednesday morning, reaching KMTW by or around 18z. The snow will be heavy at times. Also, the snow is expected to become powdery on Wednesday which will result in considerable blowing and drifting snow. Northerly wind gusts to around 40 knots are expected from late Wednesday morning into Wednesday evening. The snow will gradually taper off and then end Wednesday evening. Temperatures will plunge below freezing from northwest to southeast overnight into Wednesday morning that could cause some icy spots on runways. && .GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Storm Warning from 9 PM this evening to 6 PM CST Wednesday for WIZ005. Winter Storm Warning from midnight tonight to 6 PM CST Wednesday for WIZ010>013-018-019-030-035-036. Winter Weather Advisory from midnight tonight to 6 PM CST Wednesday for WIZ020-021-031-037-045-073-074. && DISCUSSION.....KLJ AVIATION.......Eckberg
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Green Bay WI 413 PM CST Tue Mar 4 2025 WIZ005-010>013-018>022-030-031-035>040-045-048>050-073-074-052215- 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- 413 PM CST Tue Mar 4 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north-central and northeast Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Tonight Hazardous travel due to snow and increasing winds is expected across northern and central Wisconsin tonight. Roads will become snow covered. Mild temperatures and heavy rain could cause ice jam flooding, along with minor urban flooding tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Tuesday Hazardous travel is expected area wide on Wednesday and Wednesday night due to continued moderate to heavy snow, rain changing to snow, and high winds. Roads will be snowy and slippery, and visibilities will be low due to snow and blowing snow. Mild temperatures and heavy rain could cause ice jam flooding, along with minor urban flooding Wednesday. Ice conditions on rivers and lakes will continue to deteriorate into the weekend as high temperatures climb above freezing on most days, especially for central, east-central and northeast Wisconsin. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to report any flooding as well as snow amounts to the National Weather Service in Green Bay. LMZ521-522-541>543-052215- The Bay of Green Bay south of a line from Cedar River MI to Rock Island Passage-Lake Michigan from Washington Island to Sheboygan- 413 PM CST Tue Mar 4 2025 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest Lake Michigan and the waters of Green Bay. .DAY ONE...Tonight The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Tuesday North winds will gust to gale force Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday night. A Gale Warning has been issued. KLJ
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
5 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.
The highest snowfall totals across Vilas County included 11 inches near Phelps, 8.5 inches near Conover, 7.7 inches in St. Germain, and 7.2 inches in Woodruff. Winds gusted to 36 to 43 mph at times Wednesday afternoon.
The highest snowfall totals across Oneida County included 10.5 inches in Pelican Lake, 10.1 inches near Rhinelander and near Mc Naughton, and 10 inches near Goodnow. Winds gusted to 30 to 40 mph at times Wednesday afternoon.
The highest snowfall total in Forest County was 9.9 inches in Argonne. Winds gusted to 30 to 40 mph at times Wednesday afternoon.
The highest snowfall totals across Florence County included 13 inches in Spread Eagle, 10.3 inches in Florence, and 10 inches in Aurora. Winds gusted to 35 to 45 mph at times Wednesday afternoon.
The highest snowfall total in Lincoln County was 6.2 inches in Tomahawk. Winds gusted to 30 to 40 mph at times Wednesday afternoon.
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: 1230988, 1230989, 1230990, 1230991, 1230992.