Milwaukee Winter Storm Latest Updates
Expected Snowfall and Timing
- Storm Warning: The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for southeast Wisconsin, including Milwaukee, from 12:00 PM Wednesday (Feb. 12) until 3:00 AM Thursday (Feb. 13)fox6now.com. Snow is expected to begin by late Wednesday morning and intensify through the afternoon and evening.
- Snowfall Totals: Forecasters predict significant snowfall for the Milwaukee area. The city is preparing for about 3 to 6 inches of snow by Wednesday nightwisn.com. Areas south of Milwaukee (toward Racine and Kenosha) could see slightly higher amounts, potentially 4 to 7 inches in some spotswestofthei.com. This would make it the region’s largest snowfall since mid-Decemberwisn.com.
- Timing: Light snow may start mid- to late-morning Wednesday (around 9–10 AM) with intensity picking up around middaywisn.com. Heaviest snowfall is expected Wednesday afternoon into the evening, which will likely impact the evening commute. Snow should taper off in the early hours of Thursday (after midnight), with the warning expiring at 3 AMfox6now.com.
Road Conditions and Hazards
- Road Preparations: Milwaukee’s Department of Public Works (DPW) will have salt trucks pre-treating city streets early Wednesday morning ahead of the snowwisn.com. Once snow begins, plowing will start on main arterial roads to keep them as clear as possiblewisn.com. Residential streets will be plowed after the main roads are under control.
- Snow-Covered Roads: Drivers should expect snow-covered and slippery roads by Wednesday afternoon as the storm intensifies. Even a few inches of snow can make roads hazardous. Officials warn that posted speed limits may be too fast for the conditions, since those limits assume dry pavementurbanmilwaukee.com. In other words, driving at the normal speed could be dangerous on slick, snow-packed streets.
- Visibility and Winds: Periods of heavy snowfall could reduce visibility. Blowing snow (if winds pick up) might further complicate travel. The Wednesday evening commute in particular could be difficult, with slow travel and potential delays on highways and local roads. Motorists are urged to allow extra travel time and drive with caution.
- Travel Advisories: Transportation officials advise avoiding non-essential travel during the peak of the storm. If you must drive, slow down and increase following distance. Use headlights and keep an emergency kit in your vehicle. Wisconsin DOT recommends checking the 511 road conditions website (511wi.gov) for real-time updates on highway conditions, closures, and incidentsspectrumnews1.com. Up-to-date information can help drivers plan safer routes or decide when to delay travel.
Closures and Delays
- Milwaukee Public Schools: Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) will be closed on Wednesday, Feb. 12 due to the winter stormfox6now.com. All extracurricular school activities are canceled as well, and students and staff are expected to return on Thursday (Feb. 13)fox6now.com.
- Other School Districts: Many other school districts across southeastern Wisconsin have also canceled classes for Wednesday. For example, Racine Unified School District announced all schools will be closed for the day, citing the winter storm warningrusd.org. In Kenosha County, multiple schools (such as Bristol School, Westosha Central High School, and others) likewise declared snow days for Wednesdaywestofthei.com. Essentially, most public and private K-12 schools in the Milwaukee metro and surrounding counties preemptively closed in anticipation of the stormwisn.com.
- Colleges and Universities: Higher education is affected as well. The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM) has canceled all in-person classes, events, and student activities on Wednesday due to the stormuwm.edu. (Many colleges will shift to online learning for the day or expect students to make up work later.) Marquette University and other local colleges have urged students and staff to monitor email and emergency alerts for any schedule changes, though as of this update Marquette had not announced a full closure.
- Businesses and Services: Numerous businesses, childcare centers, and public services are closing or delaying operations because of the weatherwisn.com. Some offices and stores will either remain closed on Wednesday or open late to allow for plowed roads. City of Milwaukee officials have advised that non-essential city services may be limited during the height of the storm (for instance, public libraries and community centers might close early). Residents are encouraged to check local news closure lists for specific businesses, medical offices, or services. In general, southeastern Wisconsin is largely hunkering down for the day – many employers have either closed or are allowing employees to work from home during the storm.
Emergency Services and Advisories
- Snow Emergency Declaration: Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley declared a “Snow Emergency” for Milwaukee County, effective noon Wednesday through 3:00 AM Thursdayurbanmilwaukee.com. This official declaration means county agencies are mobilized to respond to the storm. It also serves as a strong advisory for residents about the storm’s severity. Under a snow emergency, authorities may ask people to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary, and additional parking restrictions can be enforced to aid in snow removal.
- City Parking Rules: The City of Milwaukee is urging residents to follow winter parking regulations during the storm. By city ordinance, alternate-side overnight parking rules are in effect all winter, and they are especially important to obey nowwisn.com. DPW officials stress that they can clear streets much more efficiently when cars are parked on the correct side and not on main thoroughfareswisn.com. If a full snow emergency is declared in the city, parking may be temporarily prohibited on major streets and snow routes (vehicles left parked there could be ticketed or towed).
- Alternate Parking Options: As part of storm contingency plans, Milwaukee Public Schools is making some of its school parking lots and playgrounds available for overnight parking during the snow emergencycity.milwaukee.gov. This gives residents in dense neighborhoods a place to put their cars so that city plows can clear the residential streets. City officials recommend taking advantage of these designated lots or garages if you have no off-street parking at home.
- Emergency Services: Police, fire, and EMS services remain operational, and first responders are on standby for weather-related emergencies. The Milwaukee Police Department and Sheriff’s Office have advised drivers to stay home and avoid travel so that roads remain clear for emergency vehicles. Call 911 only for true emergencies – storm-related issues that are not life-threatening (like a stuck car with no injury) should be directed to non-emergency numbers or roadside assistance.
- Other Advisories: Milwaukee County and the State Emergency Operations Center are monitoring the storm’s progress. There are no widespread power outages reported as of now, but utility crews are ready to respond if heavy snow causes any outages. Residents are advised to keep mobile phones charged and have flashlights and supplies ready just in case. If using space heaters or generators during the storm, do so safely and with proper ventilation (carbon monoxide poisoning is a concern during winter power outages). Neighbors are encouraged to check on elderly or vulnerable residents and help with shoveling or errands once the snow subsides, as needed. Local authorities have also noted that warming centers and overnight shelters are open for anyone who loses heat or needs a safe place, though this storm’s impact is expected to be short-term (mainly travel disruption). Always heed any official announcements or emergency alerts on your phone or radio.
Sources: National Weather Service & Milwaukee-area media (WISN 12, FOX6, TMJ4) provided storm forecasts and warnings
wisn.com. Local news outlets have compiled extensive lists of school and business closures
wisn.com. Official statements from Milwaukee County and city officials offer guidance on emergency measures and safety precautions
wisn.com. Residents should stay tuned to reliable sources like the National Weather Service, city announcements, and local TV/radio for the latest updates.
