VIROQUA, Wis. — A major winter storm is set to sweep across western Wisconsin this weekend, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a Winter Storm Warning for Vernon County and surrounding areas. Forecasters predict hazardous travel conditions and significant snowfall beginning early Saturday and continuing into Sunday morning.
The warning goes into effect at 3 a.m. Saturday and lasts through 6 a.m. Sunday, according to the NWS. Residents should expect snowfall totals ranging from 6 to 10 inches, with locally higher amounts possible. Snowfall rates could reach one inch per hour during peak periods Saturday afternoon and evening, making travel “very difficult to impossible,” the agency said.
“Consider delaying travel unless absolutely necessary,” the NWS advised. Gusty winds of up to 25 mph may reduce visibility and create slick, snow-covered roads. Officials also warn of potential power outages as heavy, wet snow accumulates on tree limbs and power lines.
The storm is expected to move into the region late Friday night, with light snow developing after midnight. By sunrise Saturday, widespread snow will blanket Vernon County and persist throughout the day. Conditions should gradually improve by early Sunday as the system moves east.
Local emergency management officials urge residents to prepare now. “If you must travel, keep an emergency kit in your vehicle, including blankets, food, water, and a flashlight,” Vernon County Emergency Management said in a recent advisory.
Temperatures will hover in the upper 20s during the storm, dropping into the single digits Sunday night. The cold snap will continue into early next week, with highs only in the teens by Monday.
For updated forecasts and road conditions, visit https://www.weather.gov or https://511wi.gov.
How This Storm Compares to Past November Snowfalls
While November snowstorms are not uncommon in western Wisconsin, this system ranks among the more significant early-season events in recent years. Average November snowfall in Vernon County is typically 3 to 5 inches, meaning this storm could deliver nearly double the usual monthly total in just 24 hours.
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