Major Snowstorm Expected To Cut Across Wisconsin

Forecasters are predicting as much as 16 inches of snow to fall through Friday in parts of southwestern and central Wisconsin.

The system is a remnant of a storm that dumped heavy rains on California. Dave Lawrence, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in La Crosse, said it’s picking up strength and moisture and will be funneled into a thin band across the state.

“Sort of roughly along on either side of a Green Bay to maybe Eau Claire to La Crosse line with the heaviest snowfall amounts from about 10 to 16 inches falling, mostly between tonight and the evening hours of Friday,” said Lawrence

Farther north, volunteers with the American Birkebeiner are watching the skies for enough snow to hold the country’s largest nordic ski race. Executive Director Ben Popp said they’re waiting until Friday to make the call on weather to let 10,000 or more skiiers race on a course that has lost a lot of snow in the last week.

“If we don’t feel that can take place, then we’ll do something on the trail, and it could be the world’s largest poll hike or a trail run or something that involves the Birkie spirit out on the Birkie trail and then afterwards we’re going to have one of the biggest Birkie parties ever,” Popp said.

He said they need at least 3 to 4 inches for the race to go ahead. Currently the NWS is forecasting 4 to 8 inches for the Hayward area.