UNDATED (WHBL) - You’ve got all day to get ready for what’s expected to be the biggest snowstorm in at least two years in southern Wisconsin. The National Weather Service says we’ll have partly-to-mostly cloudy skies and dry weather during the day, before most of Wisconsin will start getting snow tonight. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the Sheboygan area from midnight tonight to 3am Friday. Nine to 12 inches of accumulation are possible.
Up to 17-inches are predicted through tomorrow in a corridor from Platteville to Door County plus strong winds and heavy snow drifts tomorrow. Tod Pritchard, of Wisconsin Emergency Management, says you may have to wait a long time for help if you get stuck on the road. He told the Wisconsin Radio Network, “You need to be self-reliant for the 24 hours or so that we go through this snow storm.” Pritchard says travel could be difficult, if not impossible, in some places tomorrow – and if you must drive, he says to keep your gas tank at least half-full, and let people know where you are. And if you don’t have an emergency kit for your vehicle, today’s the day to get one. Pritchard says it should include extra water, food, blankets, and a shovel. Officials want to avoid a repeat of February 2008, when up to 20-inches of snow stranded hundreds of motorists for hours on Interstate 39-90 south of Madison. For those planning to stay home, Pritchard says you should stock up on extra food, liquids, medications, and baby items – and make sure you have a first aid kit, and a flashlight and batteries in case the power goes out.