SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN — Southeast Wisconsin is set to be hit with snow, freezing rain and sleet, starting Wednesday morning and lasting well into the late evening.
The TMJ4 News team is compiling the latest developments from the storm system below. We are expecting flight cancellations, difficult conditions on roadways, power outages, and school and other closings, among other impacts.
If you want to report news to our team, email us at webstaff@tmj4.com.
For a list of cities that have declared snow emergencies, click here.
LIVE BLOG: Latest weather related news in Milwaukee, SE Wisconsin
THURSDAY:
8:15 a.m. update:
The Kenosha County Sheriff's Department sent a media update saying from 9 a.m. Wednesday through 7 a.m. Thursday, the department were called to the following:
- 1 crash with injuries
- 8 property-damage crashes
- 4 assist motorists
- 56 Fire Calls
- 59 Road Hazards
6:00 a.m. update: The two left lanes of I-41/43 west are closed at 27th Street due to a crash.
Major crash 41/894 at 27th st . 2 lanes blocked pic.twitter.com/JKGvusBYqm
— Adriana Mendez (@AdrianaMendez) February 23, 2023
5:26 a.m. update: Here's a look at current road conditions across Southeast Wisconsin.
Red means ice-covered, purple means slippery, and blue means snow-covered.
5 a.m. update: Here are the latest snow and ice totals from around the state.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT:
10:41 p.m. update: I-43 south is closed at US 14 near Delavan in Walworth County due to a crash.
10:20 p.m. update: We Energies crews are working around the clock to restore power. At this time, there are over 28,000 customers without power.
WATCH: Brendan Conway, We Energies spokesperson, joins us with the latest
10 p.m. update: Ice causing power outages in Kenosha County
WATCH: TMJ4's Taylor Lumpkin shares this report
9:50 a.m. update: Milwaukee Public Schools closed
Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) announced all schools will be closed Thursday due to the ongoing winter storm. Virtual learning will NOT take place Thursday.
MPS made the announcement Wednesday evening.
All central services and administrative buildings will be open at noon. MPS says staff should report to their work site at that time.
ALERT: Due to inclement weather, Milwaukee Public Schools will be closed Thursday, February 23, 2023. All schools will be closed.
— Milwaukee MPS (@MilwaukeeMPS) February 23, 2023
All Central Services and Administrative Buildings will open at noon and staff should report to their work site at that time. pic.twitter.com/3082jMRSbL
9:40 p.m. update: Here's a look at road conditions via 511wi.gov.
Red means ice-covered roads, purple means slippery stretches, and blue means snow-covered roads.
9:38 p.m. update: Over 23,700 We Energies customers are without service.
9:25 p.m. update: All northbound lanes on I-43 at Highway 23 near Kohler in Sheboygan County are closed due to a crash.
8:44 p.m. update: The Sheboygan County Sheriff's Office says roads are becoming "impassable."
"There is no sign of snow (and) wind slowing down," the sheriff's office said. "If you absolutely do not need to be out driving please stay where you are."
8:31 p.m. update: Milwaukee Public Schools announced all schools will be closed Thursday due to the ongoing winter storm. Virtual learning will NOT take place Thursday.
8:02 p.m.: Here's a look at road conditions via 511wi.gov.
Red means ice-covered roads, purple means slippery stretches, and blue means snow-covered roads.
8 p.m. update: Over 18,700 We Energies customers without service.
7:38 p.m. update: The Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office is investigating a multi-vehicle pileup on I-43 northbound, south of CTH JJ.
All northbound traffic should exit at Highway 151 and follow the detour County Highway is assisting with.
7:28 p.m. update: All northbound lanes are now open on I-41 at County B in Fond du Lac County.
7 p.m. update: Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers declares an energy emergency.
The executive order signed by Gov. Evers will provide waivers from federal and state requirements to allow additional flexibility to in-state utility workers, as well as allow out-of-state utility workers to come to Wisconsin to help restore power.
“During and after a winter storm, restoration of power is critically important to the safety and well-being of folks across our state. As we continue to deal with the challenges of severe winter weather and its impact on everyday necessities, the health, welfare, and safety of our neighbors remains our top priority,” said Gov. Evers. “This executive order will allow for a more swift and efficient restoration of any electric power outages throughout the state.”
6:45 p.m. update: Power outages reported across Southeast Wisconsin
Over 18,000 We Energies customers without service.
6:39 p.m. update:
Getting lots of reports of tree limbs snapping across our Ice Storm Warned locations. This is a photo from Pell Lake. #wiwx #weather pic.twitter.com/mDFq0QvZUK
— Brian Niznansky (@BrianNizTMJ4) February 23, 2023
6:32 p.m. update: I-41 north closed beyond US 151 due to a crash in Fond du Lac County.
All northbound lanes on I-41 at County B are blocked. The closure is expected to last two hours.
6:28 p.m. update: Due to the weather, The Hop in Milwaukee announced streetcar service will end at 9 p.m. Wednesday night and resume service Thursday morning at 5 a.m.
6:18 p.m. update: Power outages reported across Southeast Wisconsin
Over 16,400 We Energies customers without service.
6:09 p.m. update:
West Bend getting pounded with heavy snow #wiwx #weather #winterstorm pic.twitter.com/7hJcaKYv2a
— Brian Niznansky (@BrianNizTMJ4) February 23, 2023
6 p.m. update:
As of 6pm: Over 12,000 costumers without power in SE Wisconsin. Most south of Milwaukee pic.twitter.com/aTiFTgS1VL
— Brian Niznansky (@BrianNizTMJ4) February 22, 2023
5:20 p.m. update: Power outages reported across Southeast Wisconsin
Over 10,000 We Energies customers without service. 9,200 of those customers are in the Kenosha area.
4:58 p.m. update: Power outages reported across Southeast Wisconsin
Over 7,500 We Energies customers without service.
4:48 p.m. update: Power outages reported across Southeast Wisconsin
Over 5,800 We Energies customers without service.
4:21 p.m. update: Racine County crash cleared
All lanes have reopened on I-41 northbound after a crash near Raymond.
4:17 p.m. update: Serious freezing rain totals coming in and climbing. Worst appears to be western Racine and Kenosha counties.
3:45 p.m. update: Weather conditions right now
3:30 p.m. UPDATE | Storm Prediction Center continues to monitor freezing rain & sleet in southern Wisconsin/northern Illinois. Moderate snowfall continues mainly North of Milwaukee. #wiwx pic.twitter.com/p0J592wxFj
— Brendan Johnson (@WxBrendan) February 22, 2023
3:35 p.m. update: Power outages reported across Southeast Wisconsin
The We Energies' outage map shows nearly 2,000 customers without power around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. According to the map, Waukesha and Kenosha counties seem to be the most affected at this time.
2:57 p.m. update: City of Waukesha issues snow emergency
According to a news release, all non-essential Waukesha County operations closed at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. County offices will reopen on Thursday, February 23, at 8 a.m. All 24-hour operations such as the Communication Center, Jail, Mental Health Center and Sheriff’s Department are not affected by the closure and will maintain their regular schedule.
"County Residents are encouraged to limit travel whenever possible. If travel is a necessity, please use extreme caution. County road crews will be working throughout the afternoon and evening to improve travel conditions as much as possible," according to the news release.
2:47 p.m. update: City of Greenfield issues ice/snow emergency. View the ordinance below:
The Snow Emergency ordinance is below.
· 8.15 - Snow emergency and emergency parking regulations.(Rep. & recr. #1410)
The provisions of this section shall be applicable to all emergency vehicles in addition to snow removal activities engaged in by the Department of Public Works, irrespective of a snow emergency declaration. Any motor vehicle, trailer or wheeled vehicle which is left on the streets of the City which impedes the movement of any emergency vehicle or the operation to effectively remove accumulated snow by the Public Works Department shall be subject to tow away. The Department of Public Works and Police Department shall see to the towing of any such vehicle. Tow charges shall be paid by the owner of the vehicle prior to release of the vehicle. In no event shall the City be responsible for tow charges. Private towing contractors accepting tows from the City are deemed to know, understand and accept the provisions of this section. This provision shall be in effect from November 1 to April 30 of each year.
An emergency shall be declared to exist when snow is falling at a minimum of one inch per hour or has accumulated to a depth of 3 inches or more, or at the request of the Director of Public Works. (Am. '95)
Upon a snow emergency arising, the Director of Public Works or, in his absence, the Mayor or the President of the City Council, shall declare a state of emergency existing, make the declaration thereof and shall issue a public proclamation to that effect by radio, television, placards or other means of communication.
In addition to the following listed streets, the declaration shall permit parking only on the even-numbered side of the street on those nights bearing an even calendar date during the portion thereof before midnight and until noon the following day, and on odd-numbered sides of the street on those nights bearing an odd calendar date during the portion thereof before midnight until noon the following day.
S. 27th Street, S. 35th Street, S. 43rd Street, S. 51st Street, S. 60th Street, S. 68th Street, S. 76th Street, S. 84th Street, S. 92nd Street, S. 104th Street, S. 112th Street, S. 116th Street, S. 124th Street and W. Morgan Avenue, W. Howard Avenue, W. Coldspring Road, W. Layton Avenue, W. Edgerton Avenue, W. Grange Avenue, W. Ramsey Avenue, W. College Avenue, W. Loomis Road, W. Forest Home Avenue, W. Beloit Road, S. 31st Street between W. Edgerton Avenue and W. Grange Avenue.
Any such other thoroughfares as may be so declared by proclamation are declared emergency thoroughfares for the purposes of this section.
After such declaration of snow emergency, no person shall park any vehicle upon any street declared an emergency thoroughfare from the time of the declaration until the completion of the snowplowing or such other times designated in such declaration. (Am. #2193)
2:33 p.m. update: Town of Sheboygan issues snow emergency
2:12 p.m. update: Weather conditions right now
1:55pm UPDATE | Storm Chaser hood is covered in sleet. That’s what has mainly been falling through the central portion of our @tmj4 viewing area. Things are slushy & turning slick out there! #wiwx pic.twitter.com/0b2tR9gE0X
— Brendan Johnson (@WxBrendan) February 22, 2023
2:06 p.m. update: Not a lot of people at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, TMJ4's Mary Jo Ola reports.
Empty Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, due to today's nasty weather. #wiwx https://t.co/LbyeBl8F0G pic.twitter.com/CNjIZGAorq
— TMJ4 News (@tmj4) February 22, 2023
1:47 p.m. update: TMJ4 weather camera in Racine freezes!
Our Racine lens not only iced over but the entire camera is frozen. I cannot move it. I'm really interested in reports across our southern Ice Storm Warned counties. Thanks. #wiwx #weather #swiwx pic.twitter.com/xOQjTeKS9w
— Brian Niznansky (@BrianNizTMJ4) February 22, 2023
1:34 p.m. update: City of Watertown declares snow emergency
Watertown is on the Dodge-Jefferson county line. View the announcement below:
1:31 p.m. update: Crash near Yorkville in Racine County. According to WisDOT:
INITIAL NOTIFICATION (1)
Incident Type: Crash
County: RACINE
Nearest City: YORKVILLE
On Highway: I-41 NB
At Location: WIS 20
Lanes Affected: Three Left Lanes
Incident Occurred: 02/22/2023 12:45 PM
Estimated Duration: 1 Hour
Handling Agency: WSP SER Waukesha Post
Contact Name: WSP SER Waukesha Post
Contact Phone: 262-785-4700
Alternate Route:
Additional Info: Due to a crash, the three left lanes on I-41/94 northbound at WIS 20 are closed.
1:28 p.m. update: TMJ4 News staff on their stories during storm
It literally hurts to be outside right now. pic.twitter.com/U07D7L9hAV
— James Groh (@JamesGroh_) February 22, 2023
I LOVE a good pupper photo in a Winter Storm. Thanks to Michelle Marshall for this photo from Plymouth! Our northern counties are looking at several inches of snowfall while a messy mix of sleet/snow & ice are expected from Milwaukee to the State Line. #wiwx pic.twitter.com/alkhwSmi8q
— Brendan Johnson (@WxBrendan) February 22, 2023
Slushy, messy & a bit slippery in Muskego. #wiwx pic.twitter.com/09HhG5Wgq1
— Brendan Johnson (@WxBrendan) February 22, 2023
LIVE coverage of the Winter Weather hitting our area NOW on @tmj4 News at Noon. @MarisaWoloszyn is tracking on Storm Team 4 MAX Radar
— Tom Durian (@TMJ4Tom) February 22, 2023
WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/e0FwfCmhAl pic.twitter.com/OTbgtSwHgB
12:33 p.m. update: Weather conditions right now
12:20pm UPDATE | Roads in & around Milwaukee are mainly wet. Sleet is falling & will make things much more yucky this afternoon.
— Brendan Johnson (@WxBrendan) February 22, 2023
If you need to grab some lunch, thinking you’ll be fine - just be careful.
Best to avoid travel later this afternoon. #wiwx pic.twitter.com/JjpSykaXQ7
12:20 p.m. update: TMJ4 News at Noon has team coverage of the storm
11:28 a.m. update: Public service announcement on freezing rain and sleet
The National Weather Service has a guide online about the dangers of freezing ice and sleet, which is forecasted to hit parts of SE Wisconsin on Wednesday. View their guide here.
11:10 a.m. update: Weather forecast
[11 AM] Snow, sleet, and freezing rain continue this morning. @TMJ4
— Marisa Woloszyn TMJ4 (@MarisaWoloszyn) February 22, 2023
Live radar: https://t.co/CNbNHrDmkK pic.twitter.com/kCO0FjboVX
11 a.m. update: Racine issues declaration of emergency
Racine County Executive Jonathan Delagrave's office issued a declaration of emergency on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, due to the severe weather. The Racine County Courthouse and county buildings will close at noon on Wednesday, according to a news release.
"Significant ice accumulations are expected which will result in hazardous road conditions. Please take extra precautions if travel is necessary. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Please also take precautions for possible power outages."
View order below:
11 a.m. update: Cancellations at Mitchell Airport
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is reporting canceled departures and arrivals on Wednesday. For now, airport officials tell TMJ4 News they can't say for sure if a specific flight is canceled due to the weather, but it's a good guess today because we do have severe weather coming through Southeast Wisconsin.
Click here to view departures at Mitchell.
Click here to view arrivals at Mitchell.
And since many of us do fly out of O'Hare International Airport since it's just so convenient, here are the arrivals and departures down there.