Ice Storm in Wisconsin

Events

313

Deaths

1

Injuries

15

Damage

$767,000

• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Wisconsin, April 1 to 2, 20261 death · 16 eventsA 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.
• Ice Storm in Wisconsin, January 4 to 5, 199814 injured · $67,000 · 12 eventsIce accumulations of 1/4 to 3/4 of an inch resulted in numerous accidents, but no serious injuries were reported. Only localized power outages occurred since light winds accompanied the storm.
• Ice Storm in Wisconsin, December 23, 1996$300,000 · 9 eventsFreezing rain and freezing drizzle left a deposit of ice up 3/8 thick in a swath from Iowa and Lafayette counties northwest to the southern part of Fond du Lac county. The worst ice accumulations occurred around Madison to around Baraboo.
• Ice Storm in Wisconsin, November 15, 1996$150,000 · 1 eventLarge branches coated with ice fell on power lines, disrupting electrical service to 1,500 people for three days.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Wisconsin, March 1 to 6, 2022$100,000 · 7 eventsLow pressure moved from northwestern Iowa to northern Lake Michigan on March 5th, spreading an area of freezing rain and snow across much of northwestern Wisconsin ahead of a warm front.
• Ice Storm in Wisconsin, February 17, 2008$100,000 · 5 eventsAn ice storm affected a 25 to 30 mile wide area stretching from Janesville to Ft. Atkinson to Delafield to West Bend to Port Washington thanks to about 11 hours of freezing rain. Ice accumulations ranged from 1/4 to 1/2 inch.
• Ice Storm in Wisconsin, March 29 to 30, 2025$40,000 · 2 eventsThe beginnings of a historic ice storm for the Great Lakes region impacted portions north-central Wisconsin at the end of March before moving east.
• Ice Storm in Wisconsin, February 26 to 27, 19961 injured · 16 eventsLow pressure moving through Northwest Wisconsin brought periods of freezing rain to Central, Northeast and East Central Wisconsin.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Wisconsin, February 22 to 23, 202320 eventsA large and slow moving low pressure area that tracked along the WI and IL border brought heavy snow to central Wisconsin, moderate to heavy freezing rain and ice accumulations over far southern WI, and 1-2 inches of sleet and some snow accumulation in between.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Wisconsin, March 29 to 30, 202519 eventsA 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 Storm in Wisconsin, January 1 to 2, 200514 eventsAn approaching storm system aloft forced warmer air and abundant moisture over sub-freezing air north of a surface warm front.
• Ice Storm and Winter Weather in Wisconsin, January 4 to 5, 199813 eventsNearly 12 hours of freezing rain and drizzle coated streets and sidewalks across central and northeast Wisconsin. Even though ice accumulations were near one-half inch in the hardest hit areas, little damage was reported, probably due to light winds.
• Ice Storm in Wisconsin, February 24, 200113 eventsFreezing rain affected southwest and central Wisconsin as another in a series of ice storms affected the area. Even though glazing was widespread, with ice accumulations of 1/4 inch, law enforcement officials reported only minor automobile accidents.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Wisconsin, March 7 to 8, 200213 eventsWarm and moist air that moved into Wisconsin ahead of a low pressure system over the central plains spread snow over north central Wisconsin and freezing rain over central and northeast Wisconsin.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Wisconsin, April 3 to 4, 201413 eventsLow pressure moved from the central Plains into southern Wisconsin. The storm produced a swath of heavy, wet snow across northwest and north central Wisconsin and freezing rain across central and far northeast Wisconsin.
• Ice Storm in Wisconsin, January 29 to 30, 200111 eventsStrong southerly flow ahead of a surface low pressure system pulled warm and moist air northward from the Gulf of Mexico. A significant band of precipitation moved through Wisconsin from south to north.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Wisconsin, February 21 to 23, 202311 eventsA slow moving storm system produced several days of snow across western Wisconsin. The snow began during the afternoon of February 21st and continued on and off into the morning of the 23rd. Initial light snow accumulations area wide became heavier during the night of the 22nd.
• Ice Storm in Wisconsin, February 26 to 27, 19969 eventsA wintry mix of freezing rain and sleet spread across the area with reports of thunder and lightning as well. A coating of ice 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick accumulated creating dangerous driving conditions and knocking down scattered power lines.
• Ice Storm in Wisconsin, January 17 to 18, 19969 eventsFreezing rain resulted in ice accumulations ranging from one quarter inch in Eau Claire to 3 inches in the Ladysmith and Rice Lake areas. Scattered power outages resulted.
• Ice Storm and Heavy Snow in Wisconsin, December 14 to 15, 20229 eventsA powerful, long duration winter storm brought widespread snowfall amounts of 8 to 24 inches across parts of northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin, with areas around Lake Superior receiving up to 30 inches of snow.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Wisconsin, April 1 to 2, 20269 eventsA strong Spring system brought a variety of precipitation types to the region early April (4/1 to 4/2). Low pressure swept across Minnesota and Wisconsin from the SW to the NE with warmer air south of the low's core and colder air north.
• Ice Storm in Wisconsin, February 1, 19998 eventsFreezing rain and freezing drizzle coated much of northwestern Wisconsin with as much as 1/4 inch of ice. Many traffic accidents were reported, and some schools were closed.
• Ice Storm in Wisconsin, January 29 to 30, 20018 eventsFreezing rain resulted in 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice on exposed surfaces. The ice was followed by 1 to 4 inches of snow, making driving very treacherous. Most schools were closed on January 30th.
• Ice Storm in Wisconsin, April 16 to 17, 20038 eventsA cold front that moved through Wisconsin from the north brought a shallow layer of cold air into the north-central part of the state. Significant freezing rain and sleet fell as precipitation formed in warmer air aloft and then fell through a layer of cold air near the ground.
• Ice Storm in Wisconsin, April 16 to 17, 20038 eventsA mixture of sleet and freezing rain fell, causing an icy glaze up to 1/2" thick to accumulate on roads, trees and power lines. The winds were also very strong with the Duluth/Superior Harbor recording sustained winds of 35 to 50 mph.

Ice Storm everywhereEvery kind of event in Wisconsin

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.