A historic, record-setting winter storm impacted northeast Wisconsin from Saturday evening (3/14), through Monday evening (3/16). A potent Colorado low deepened as it tracked from the central Plains toward Chicago and eventually Lake Huron, placing a long duration of heavy precipitation directly over the region.
Every event with a place to put it; 24 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 historic, record-setting winter storm impacted northeast Wisconsin from Saturday evening (3/14), through Monday evening (3/16). A potent Colorado low deepened as it tracked from the central Plains toward Chicago and eventually Lake Huron, placing a long duration of heavy precipitation directly over the region. The storm began as snow Saturday evening (3/14) before transitioning to a wintry mix of snow, freezing rain, and sleet across central and east-central Wisconsin after 3 AM Sunday (3/15). This mix produced a few hundredths of an inch of ice in east-central Wisconsin before changing back to all snow early Sunday afternoon (3/15).
Snow became very heavy over central Wisconsin early Sunday morning (3/15) with snowfall rates up to 4 inches per hour. Cloud-to-ground lightning strikes were observed at times in thundersnow and thunder sleet. These heavy snowfall rates shifted east through the morning, reaching northeast Wisconsin around midday Sunday. Blizzard to near-blizzard conditions developed Sunday afternoon, fueled by northeast winds gusting between 35 and 50 mph. Peak gusts reached 59 mph at the Green Bay Airport (Brown Co.) and 60 mph in De Pere (Brown Co.). This combination of heavy falling snow and high winds created whiteout conditions and massive drifting.
After a brief lull in snowfall Sunday evening, heavy snow redeveloped from south to north early Monday morning (3/16). This second round of precipitation was intense, with snowfall rates reaching 1 to 3 inches per hour at times across the Fox Valley and lakeshore. The combination of this heavy snow and powerful north winds, gusting between 40 and 55 mph, resulted in a return to blizzard conditions. Visibility frequently dropped to a quarter mile or less, creating whiteout conditions that made travel impossible. By Monday morning (3/16), this overnight surge had dumped an additional 6 to 12 inches of snow on top of what had already fallen.
Final snowfall totals were historic, with a widespread 1 to 2 feet across the area and localized amounts exceeding 30 inches from Wausau (Marathon Co.) to Marinette and Door counties. Green Bay (Brown Co.) recorded 26.6 inches, marking its second-largest snowstorm on record. Impacts were severe and wide-reaching. Travel became nearly impossible, leading to numerous flight cancellations and significant road drifting, including a 10-foot drift reported in Ephraim (Door Co.). Roads were severely impacted throughout the event with tow bans in place and some municipalities suspending plowing. No Travel Advised was posted for an extended period on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) webpage. The heavy snow load and high winds caused widespread power outages, most notably in Door and Marinette counties, and building collapses were reported in Sturgeon Bay (Door Co.) and Kewaunee County. Many schools and businesses remained closed through Monday (3/16) and even on Tuesday (3/17).
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 14, 6:01 PM CST, 59 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Green Bay WI 701 PM CDT Sat Mar 14 2026 Updated aviation portion for 00Z TAF issuance and new information added to update section .UPDATE... Issued at 634 PM CDT Sat Mar 14 2026 Radar showed a large band of precipitation extending from central MN into central WI, in response to increasing mid-level WAA/ isentropic lift and FGEN. This precipitation was not yet reaching ground in WI, but RH timesections suggested this would occur around 8 pm in our southwest counties, spreading to NE WI by midnight. The snow is expected to become heavy later tonight into Sunday, especially along and north of Hwy 29, where the SPC HREF supports snowfall rates as high as 1-3 inches/hour. These higher rates arrive 08z-09z/Sun in NC WI, and depart far NE WI by about 21z/Sun. Models offer differing opinions on the strength and extent of the warm layer aloft, but the general consensus is that it will mainly affect our southern two tiers of counties, bringing a mix of sleet, freezing rain and rain (far south/southeast) before eroding in the afternoon/early evening. No significant changes expected for the headlines this evening, but may make a few tweaks after I dig into it a bit more. && .KEY MESSAGES... - A historic winter storm will impact the region tonight through Monday. Heavy snow, mixed precip, and strong winds will create blizzard conditions as well as widespread and significant impacts across the area, including extremely difficult travel and power outages. Snowfall totals of 15 to 30 inches with locally higher amounts. Winter Storm Warnings and Blizzard Warnings have been issued. - Sleet and/or freezing rain will likely mix with snow at times across east-central Wisconsin, resulting in the potential for 0.1 to 0.2" of ice accumulation on Sunday. Precip then transitions back to all snow Sunday night. - Below zero wind chills will be possible on Monday, moderating back to near normal throughout the week. - Next chance of light snow (60-80%) is on Tuesday night into Wednesday. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 315 PM CDT Sat Mar 14 2026 Historic snowstorm arrives this evening, and will be the largest since April 13-15, 2018, and then should continue into Monday afternoon. The calm before the storm this afternoon with partly cloudy skies far north and mostly cloudy elsewhere. Temperatures were in the 30s. Latest model runs from this morning indicated the snow was a little slower to arrive this evening, thus pushed back the start time of the warning across the southern half of the forecast area by an hour or two. Across the north, pushed up the start time by a few hours. Snow is expected to develop across central and east-central WI in response to an fgen band that sets up across the area. This band shifts northward late tonight into Sunday morning. Late tonight, models indicating a warm layer between five and nine thousand feet. This warm layer would support sleet up to Green Bay and possibly Wausau. The warm layer is warm enough that the precipitation will change over to rain, sleet or freezing from Wautoma to Oshkosh to Manitowoc late tonight into Sunday afternoon. Current forecast has a tenth or two of ice from Waushara County east to Manitowoc County. For locations to the north, snow will continue Sunday. Increasing winds and heavy snowfall will lead to blizzard conditions. Have issued a Blizzard Warning from 15z Sunday to 20z Monday. For the Fox Valley, the Blizzard Warning will start at 21z Sun until the risk of the mix precip ends and at 00z for Manitowoc and Kewaunee counties. The low should pass to the east of the area Sunday night, resulting in strong wind and blizzard conditions. Gusts of 40 to 60 mph are likely resulting in damage to trees and power lines which results in expected power outages. Another concern will be for much colder air to work into the region Sunday night which will result in the snow to become powdery and more easily blown around across central and east-central WI. Snowfall totals may rival and may be higher than the April 2018 storm. Current forecast has 13 to 32 inches of snow, with the lowest totals across the southern Fox Valley. Highest totals were across Marinette and Oconto counties. NBM probabilities were a staggering 70-90 for two feet of snow. Decided to continue the Blizzard Warning through 4 pm Monday until the stronger winds subside despite the heavier snow ending. Previous events with the powdery snow has resulted in reductions in visibilities and problems on roads due to accidents or slide offs. Visibilities will remain poor into the afternoon. Some lingering light snow continues into the evening across the far north Monday evening. Another clipper system will bring a chance of light snow Tuesday night and Wednesday. It is too early to determine snowfall amounts. Fairly tranquil conditions are expected the rest of the week with seasonable spring temperatures. && .AVIATION...for 00Z TAF Issuance Issued at 634 PM CDT Sat Mar 14 2026 Deteriorating flight conditions will occur this evening, with conditions becoming quite dangerous for flight operations late tonight into Sunday. Flight delays/cancellations will occur, and airport closures may be needed at times Sunday into Monday. Thickening/lowering clouds and virga were observed across the region at issuance time. Snow is expected to develop around 8 pm in our southwest counties, spreading into far NE WI by around midnight. Heavy snow will spread across NC/NE (along and north of Hwy 29) late tonight (after 08z/09z/Sun) and continue in far NE WI until around 21z/Sun. Farther south, a warm layer aloft will bring a wintry mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain starting late tonight and continuing into Sunday afternoon. E winds will increase later tonight into Sunday morning, then really start to crank up as they become NE-NW Sunday afternoon into Monday. Gusts to 35 to 45 kts are likely due the height of the storm. LLWS arrives overnight into early Sunday and continues most areas through the day. && .GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Storm Warning from 11 PM this evening to 10 AM CDT Sunday for WIZ005-010>013-021-022-073. Blizzard Warning from 10 AM Sunday to 4 PM CDT Monday for WIZ005- 010>013-018>022-030-031-035>037-045-073-074. Winter Storm Warning until 10 AM CDT Sunday for WIZ018>020-030- 031-035>037-045-074. Winter Storm Warning from 10 PM this evening to 4 PM CDT Sunday for WIZ038-039-048-049. Blizzard Warning from 4 PM Sunday to 4 PM CDT Monday for WIZ038- 039-048-049. Winter Storm Warning from 11 PM this evening to 7 PM CDT Sunday for WIZ040-050. Blizzard Warning from 7 PM Sunday to 4 PM CDT Monday for WIZ040- 050. && UPDATE.........Kieckbusch DISCUSSION.....Eckberg AVIATION.......Kieckbusch
Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED National Weather Service Green Bay WI 239 PM CDT Sat Mar 14 2026 WIZ005-010>013-018>022-030-031-035>040-045-048>050-073-074-151945- 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- 239 PM CDT Sat Mar 14 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north-central and northeast Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Tonight A historic winter storm will arrive this evening with snow then continuing overnight, possibly mixed with freezing rain or sleet late across central and east-central WI. Snowfall rates as high as 1 to 2 inches per hour will result in poor visibilities and hazardous travel. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect, starting at various times across the area. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Saturday The historic winter storm continues Sunday through Monday afternoon. Snow, which will be heavy at times with snowfall rates as high as 1 to 3 inches per hour. A mix of sleet, freezing rain and possibly rain is expected at times across central and east-central WI Sunday. The snow will start out as a wetter snow across central and east-central WI, then become powdery Sunday night into Monday. Total snow accumulations between 12 and 30 inches are expected, with locally higher amounts across far northeast WI. Ice shoves are also possible on the western half of Lake Winnebago Sunday into Sunday night and on the Bay of Green Bay Sunday into Monday. Increasing east to northeast winds will result in areas of blowing snow Sunday.Blizzard or near-blizzard conditions will make travel extremely difficult, Sunday into Monday afternoon. The Winter Storm Warning has been upgraded at various times on Sunday to a Blizzard Warning which will continue into Monday afternoon. Those with travel plans, including air travel, should monitor the weather closely and consider making alternative plans. The strong winds are expected to cause damage to trees and powerlines. Power outages are expected Sunday into Monday. Bitter cold for mid-March standards are expected Monday morning with wind chill readings as low as 10 below north to around zero over east-central WI. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Measuring snow will be difficult due to the strong winds, but spotters are requested to forward snowfall measurements to the National Weather Service in Green Bay. LMZ521-522-541>543-151945- The Bay of Green Bay south of a line from Cedar River MI to Rock Island Passage-Lake Michigan from Washington Island to Sheboygan- 239 PM CDT Sat Mar 14 2026 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...Sunday through Saturday Northerly gales are expected Sunday with gusts to 45 knots. A Storm Warning is in effect from 7 PM Sunday to 3 pm Monday for gusts to around 50 knots. Eckberg
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
12 winter storm, 12 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.
The highest snowfall totals across Wood County included 30 inches near Wisconsin Rapids and 21.6 inches near Marshfield. In addition, winds gusting to 40 to 50 mph caused near-blizzard conditions at times on Sunday March 15 and Monday March 16.
The highest snowfall totals across Winnebago County included 27.7 inches in Menasha, 22.6 inches in Neenah, and 22 inches in Winneconne. In addition, winds gusting to 40 to 50 mph caused blizzard conditions on Monday March 16.
The highest snowfall totals across Marathon County included 30.9 inches in Wausau, 28 inches in Brokaw, 25.8 inches near Mosinee, and 24 inches in Knowlton. In addition, winds gusting to 35 to 45 mph caused near-blizzard conditions at times on Sunday March 15 and Monday March 16.
The highest snowfall totals across Portage County included 25 inches in Almond, 24 inches in Stevens Point, and 22.5 inches near Plover. In addition, winds gusting to 40 to 50 mph caused near-blizzard conditions at times on Sunday March 15 and Monday March 16.
The highest snowfall totals across Waupaca County included 30.5 inches near Northland, 28 inches in Waupaca, 26.5 inches in Clintonville, and 25 inches in Weyauwega. In addition, winds gusting to 30 to 40 mph caused near-blizzard conditions at times on Sunday March 15 and Monday March 16.
Snowfall totals were generally 1 to 2 feet across Waushara County. In addition, winds gusting to 30 to 40 mph caused near-blizzard conditions at times on Sunday March 15 and Monday March 16.
The highest snowfall totals across Brown County included 28 inches near New Franken, 27.5 inches in Suamico as well as Denmark, 26.6 inches in Green Bay, and 25.5 inches in Howard. In addition, winds gusting to 40 to 60 mph caused blizzard conditions at times on Sunday March 15 and Monday March 16.
The highest snowfall totals across Outagamie County included 27.5 inches in Appleton, 24.8 inches in Shiocton, 24 inches in Greenville, and 22.8 inches in New London. In addition, winds gusting to 35 to 45 mph caused blizzard conditions on Monday March 16.
Snowfall totals were generally 1 to 2 feet across Kewaunee County. In addition, winds gusting to 40 to 60 mph caused blizzard conditions on Monday March 16.
The highest snowfall totals across Calumet County included 23.9 inches in Chilton and 17 inches in Darboy. In addition, winds gusting to 40 to 50 mph caused blizzard conditions on Monday March 16.
The highest snowfall totals across Manitowoc County included 20.5 inches in Two Rivers and 16 inches in Mishicot. In addition, winds gusting to 40 to 50 mph caused blizzard conditions on Monday March 16.
The highest snowfall totals across Lincoln County included 15.5 inches near Merrill and 12.9 inches in Tomahawk. In addition, winds gusting to 30 to 40 mph caused near-blizzard conditions at times on Sunday March 15 and Monday March 16.
The highest snowfall totals across Door County included 33 inches near Egg Harbor, 32 inches in Forestville, and 28.5 inches in Fish Creek. In addition, winds gusting to 40 to 60 mph caused blizzard conditions at times on Sunday March 15 and Monday March 16.
The highest snowfall totals across southern Marinette County included 30 inches in Peshtigo and 28.5 inches near Mcallister. In addition, winds gusting to 40 to 60 mph caused blizzard conditions at times on Sunday March 15 and Monday March 16.
The highest snowfall totals across northern Oconto County included 29 inches near Hayes and 26 inches in Mountain. In addition, winds gusting to 40 to 50 mph caused blizzard conditions on Monday March 16.
The highest snowfall totals across southern Oconto County included 25.3 inches in Oconto Falls and 22.5 inches in Sobieski. In addition, winds gusting to 40 to 50 mph caused blizzard conditions on Monday March 16.
The highest snowfall totals across Oneida County included 18.6 inches in Minocqua and 11.7 inches near Rhinelander. In addition, winds gusting to 35 to 45 mph caused near-blizzard conditions at times on Sunday March 15 and Monday March 16.
Snowfall totals were generally 1 to 2 feet across Forest County. In addition, winds gusting to 35 to 45 mph caused near-blizzard conditions at times on Sunday March 15 and Monday March 16.
Snowfall totals were generally 1 to 2 feet across Langlade County. In addition, winds gusting to 35 to 45 mph caused near-blizzard conditions at times on Sunday March 15 and Monday March 16.
Snowfall totals were generally 1 to 2 feet across Menominee County. In addition, winds gusting to 35 to 45 mph caused near-blizzard conditions at times on Sunday March 15 and Monday March 16.
The highest snowfall totals across Shawano County included 33 inches in Shawano, 30 inches in Pella, and 25 inches in Leopolis. In addition, winds gusting to 30 to 40 mph caused near-blizzard conditions at times on Sunday March 15 and Monday March 16.
The highest snowfall totals across Florence County included 25 inches in Spread Eagle, 24.1 inches in Aurora, and 21.3 inches in Florence. In addition, winds gusting to 40 to 50 mph caused blizzard conditions on Monday March 16.
The highest snowfall total in northern Marinette County was 22.4 inches in Athelstane. In addition, winds gusting to 40 to 50 mph caused blizzard conditions on Monday March 16.
The highest snowfall totals across Vilas County included 19.5 inches near Phelps and 15 inches in Eagle River. In addition, winds gusting to 30 to 40 mph caused near-blizzard conditions at times on Sunday March 15 and Monday March 16.
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, March 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: 1318114, 1316183, 1318112, 1318115, 1318116, 1318117, 1316174, 1316181, 1316182, 1316184, 1316185, 1318109, 1316175, 1316176, 1316178, 1316179, 1318107, 1318108, 1318110, 1318111, 1318113, 1316177, 1316180, 1318106.