A low-pressure system tracking through southern Wisconsin and northern Michigan brought a wintry mix of freezing rain and sleet to the region from the early morning through around midday on Thursday (4/02) before changing over to rain by the afternoon. 5 inches of sleet fell across much of north-central Wisconsin with one quarter to one half of an inch of freezing rain accumulation across…
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 low-pressure system tracking through southern Wisconsin and northern Michigan brought a wintry mix of freezing rain and sleet to the region from the early morning through around midday on Thursday (4/02) before changing over to rain by the afternoon. Around 1 to 1.5 inches of sleet fell across much of north-central Wisconsin with one quarter to one half of an inch of freezing rain accumulation across central and portions of east-central Wisconsin. Over 65,000 customers were reported without power during the worst part of the storm. A 56 year old man died on the interstate in Brown County as a result of the slippery roadways.
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 1, 9:40 PM CST, 1 hour 20 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Green Bay WI 1040 PM CDT Wed Apr 1 2026 Updated aviation portion for 06Z TAF issuance .UPDATE... Issued at 809 PM CDT Wed Apr 1 2026 The forecast remains largely on track for the incoming winter storm. While radar currently shows precipitation increasing aloft, a layer of very dry air below 750mb is preventing it from reaching the surface for the time being. Expectations are for moisture to move in from the south and saturate the lower atmosphere, allowing precipitation to reach the ground along and south of the Highway 29 corridor between 1 AM and 4 AM. This aligns with the start of our current weather headlines for central Wisconsin and the Fox Valley. Once the storm begins, precipitation will spread rapidly north and become heavy at times from late tonight through late Thursday afternoon. The most notable change in recent data is a colder trend for surface temperatures(as shown in the NBM). Since the storm track has shifted slightly southeast compared to yesterday, it makes sense that warmer air will be slower to arrive. Consequently, have decided to extend the Ice Storm Warning for Wood, Portage, and Waupaca counties until 1 PM Tuesday. Freezing rain is expected to continue through the morning in these areas, and with forecasted ice totals between a quarter and a half inch, conditions will be slow to improve. Updated WSW reflecting these changes will be available shortly. && .KEY MESSAGES... - A wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet, snow, and rain is expected, with significant ice and sleet accumulations over most of central, north central and far northeast WI late tonight through Thursday. Power outages, tree damage, and extremely hazardous travel are expected, especially west and north of the Fox Valley. There will be significant impacts to the Thursday morning commute regionwide. Ice Storm Warnings, Winter Storm Warnings, and Winter Weather Advisories have been issued. - Thunderstorms will also be possible later Thursday afternoon and Thursday evening, and may become strong to severe in the Fox Valley and lakeshore areas. - Heavy rainfall, mixed precipitation, and thunderstorms are possible Friday night into Saturday. Wintry impacts should be focused over northern WI. - Flooding concerns arise this weekend into early next week following the passage of the two moisture rich systems. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 321 PM CDT Wed Apr 1 2026 Dry conditions prevailed across the region this afternoon, with low clouds coming off Lake Michigan into east central WI, and high clouds thickening elsewhere. Low pressure was developing over Colorado, ahead of sharp upper level trough. This strengthening low pressure system will impact the region with significant sleet and ice accumulations as it approaches late tonight into Thursday. The warm sector of this system could reach east central WI, setting the stage for a brief period of severe thunderstorms during the very late afternoon and evening. Winter Weather Headlines Late Tonight into Thursday...Overall, sleet and ice accumulations have not changed drastically. Still expect 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice over the roughly the southwest half of the forecast area, with 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches of sleet over the far north central and far northeast WI. East winds gusting to 30 to 40 mph may lead to power outages, especially where they overlap with the heavier ice accumulations. Wintry impacts should end by 18z/Thu for most areas south of Hwy 8, but temperatures lingering near the freezing mark over far northern WI will keep mixed precipitation in the forecast through the afternoon/evening. Changes to headlines: Start times were delayed by a few hours due to a lingering dry wedge around 850 mb. In addition, Waushara and Outagamie counties were upgraded to an Ice Storm Warning, given expected ice accumulations of two tenths to four tenths of an inch. Severe Weather Potential late Thursday Afternoon and Evening... The track of the surface low may bring the warm sector of the system through east central WI late Thursday afternoon and evening. While surface based instability is quite weak, MUCAPE is expected to increase to 300-600 j/kg. Strong shear (0-6 km bulk shear of 50-65 knots and 0-3 km SRH of 200-300) and strong winds aloft (850 mb winds of 45 to 55 knots) could make up for the lack of instability, leading to potential for a bowing line segment moving through the Fox Valley and lakeshore areas between 6 pm and 10 pm. Damaging winds should be the primary severe threat. Another Significant Storm Expected Late in the Week...Another Colorado Low is expected to impact the region Friday night into Saturday. This system will also bring potential for heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, and a wintry mix (including possible significant ice accumulations) over mainly northern WI. && .AVIATION...for 06Z TAF Issuance Issued at 1039 PM CDT Wed Apr 1 2026 Conditions will deteriorate after midnight tonight as a powerful low pressure system impacts the region. VFR ceilings late this evening will transition to MVFR/IFR between 06z and 10z as a wintry mix overspreads the terminals from southwest to northeast. Expect a prolonged period of hazardous flight conditions through Thursday morning. Significant icing and sleet accumulations are likely, especially at RHI, AUW, and CWA, where heavy sleet and freezing rain will persist longest. A transition to rain is expected from south to north Thursday afternoon as warmer air arrives, though IFR ceilings will likely remain through the end of the period. Some areas from RHI to the U.P. border may remain as a wintry mix until the end of the TAF period. LLWS is forecast at all sites tonight through Thursday afternoon with 40-60 kt winds at 2k ft. Gusty east to northeast surface winds of 20-30 kt will also persist. Confidence is high in the transition to IFR, but medium on the exact timing of the changeover from freezing to liquid precipitation. With passage of the surface low, there will be a chance of thunderstorms between 02/23Z-03/03Z across east central Wisconsin. Have added a prob30 to show the most probable timing. If thunderstorms develop, gusty winds and small hail will be possible. While most areas will see rain by this point, areas near and north of RHI may still see a wintry mix through the evening. && .HYDROLOGY... Issued at 321 PM CDT Wed Apr 1 2026 Despite the uncertainty in precipitation types, the two well- saturated systems this week will lead to flooding concerns, with a signal for river and stream rises this weekend into early next week across the forecast area. Minor flooding would likewise be possible in low-lying and poor drainage areas. && .GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Storm Warning from 5 AM to 10 PM CDT Thursday for WIZ005- 010>013. Ice Storm Warning from 3 AM to 1 PM CDT Thursday for WIZ018>020- 030-031. Winter Storm Warning from 3 AM to 1 PM CDT Thursday for WIZ021- 073-074. Winter Weather Advisory from 3 AM to 10 AM CDT Thursday for WIZ022-039-040-050. Ice Storm Warning until 1 PM CDT Thursday for WIZ035>037. Ice Storm Warning until 10 AM CDT Thursday for WIZ038-045. Winter Weather Advisory until 10 AM CDT Thursday for WIZ048-049. && UPDATE.........MPC DISCUSSION.....Kieckbusch AVIATION.......MPC HYDROLOGY......Kieckbusch
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Green Bay WI 902 PM CDT Wed Apr 1 2026 WIZ005-010>013-018>022-030-031-035>040-045-048>050-073-074-030215- 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- 902 PM CDT Wed Apr 1 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north-central and northeast Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Tonight Significant ice accumulations are expected south of Highway 29 after midnight, with sleet accumulations anticipated along and north of Highway 29 late tonight. Hazardous travel is expected. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Wednesday Significant ice and sleet accumulations are expected for central, north central, and far northeast Wisconsin Thursday. Freezing rain is also expected from the Fox Valley to the lakeshore in the morning. The combination of significant ice and sleet accumulations, and east winds gusting to 30 to 40 mph, will likely result in broken tree limbs and power outages, especially for locations west and north of the Fox Valley. Hazardous travel is expected, with impacts to the Thursday morning commute. Thunderstorms, some possibly strong to severe, are possible late Thursday afternoon and evening. The greatest threat is expected over east-central Wisconsin, including the Fox Valley and lakeshore areas, from 6 pm to 10 pm. If strong storms develop, damaging winds should be the primary threat. Another significant system will bring heavy rainfall, with a wintry mix across mainly northern Wisconsin, Friday night into Saturday. Thunderstorms will also be possible with this system. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters are requested to report snow, sleet, and freezing rain accumulations to the National Weather Service in Green Bay. LMZ521-522-541>543-030215- The Bay of Green Bay south of a line from Cedar River MI to Rock Island Passage-Lake Michigan from Washington Island to Sheboygan- 902 PM CDT Wed Apr 1 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwest Lake Michigan and the waters of Green Bay. .DAY ONE...Tonight Gusty northeast winds and high waves will create hazardous conditions for small craft on the lake and bay. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Wednesday Hazardous boating conditions are expected on the Bay and Lake through Friday morning. Small Craft Advisories and Gale Warnings are in effect. There is potential for thunderstorms Thursday evening, and again Friday night into Saturday. Hazardous conditions to small craft are also expected at times from Friday night through Sunday. MPC
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
9 ice storm, 7 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.
The highest ice total in Waushara County was 0.31 inches in Wautoma.
The highest ice total in Wood County was 0.25 inches in Pittsville.
The highest ice totals across Waupaca County included 0.31 inches near Sheridan and 0.25 inches in Clintonville.
The highest ice total in Marathon County was 0.50 inches near Knowlton.
The highest ice totals across Outagamie County included 0.36 inches near New London and 0.25 inches in Little Chute.
The highest ice totals across Portage County included 0.50 inches near Polonia and 0.40 inches in Plover.
The highest ice total in Brown County was 0.25 inches near Howard, near Flintville, as well as near Oneida. A 56-year-old male died in a car crash due to the slippery roadways.
The highest ice totals across Shawano County included 0.30 inches in Wittenberg and 0.25 inches in Shawano.
The highest sleet total in Florence County was 1 inch in Spread Eagle.
The highest sleet total in Forest County was 1 inch in Crandon.
The highest sleet total in Langlade County was 1 inch in Antigo.
The highest sleet total in Lincoln County was 1.4 inches in Tomahawk.
The highest sleet total in northern Oconto County was 1.6 inches near Townsend. 0.25 inches of ice was also measured in Mountain.
The highest sleet total in Oneida County was 0.8 inches near Rhinelander.
The highest ice total in northern Marinette County was 0.25 inches in Athelstane.
The highest sleet total in Vilas County was 1 inch near Conover.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ice Storm, Brown | 2026-04-02 | 56 | Male | Vehicle/Towed Trailer | Direct |
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Wisconsin in 2026Every state in 2026This day in weather historyWarnings in Wisconsin, April 2026
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: 1319345, 1319349, 1319346, 1319358, 1319359, 1319360, 1319344, 1319348, 1319351, 1319352, 1319353, 1319354, 1319355, 1319356, 1330686, 1319357.