Storm Team 4

Slick spots possible during p.m. commute due to light snow

By Jesse Ritka

CREATED Mar. 12, 2013

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  • With a continued northwest wind flow, our temperatures will remain well below the seasonal average highs in the low 40s, but some moderation will return by later in the week.

  • It seems like the winter weather pattern just won’t let up on Wisconsin with high temperatures running five to ten degrees below normal and a persistent barrage of either snow or rain and snow storms.

  • We could still see a few flurries in Milwaukee this morning as another low pressure system well to the north moves out but another is rolling this way for late Thursday and Friday.

  • The good news for today is the chance for a little sunshine across the state and in southeast Wisconsin.

  • The question I have been asked frequently lately is why the cold has returned and the storms have been so consistent and frequent lately.

  • The answer is in the polar jet stream this winter, which has meandered a bit north and south nearly in the winter season and has now set up as a consistent northwest direction since early February.

  • The jet stream pattern in November through January was basically from the west to northwest, and the more westerly periods allowed mild air to roll across the state.

  • That direction also kept most of the snowstorms north or south of the state.

  • TUESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy, cold and breezy. Lows: 20 Lakefront... 17 Waukesha & Inland. Wind: NW 10-15 mph.

  • WEDNESDAY: Morning flurries possible then decreasing clouds, breezy and cold for March. High: 32. Wind: NW 10-20 mph.

  • WED NIGHT: Mostly clear and chilly for March. Lows: 18 Lakefront... 13 Waukesha & Inland Wind: WNW 10-15 mph.

  • THURSDAY: Partly to mostly cloudy with a slight chance for a light snow or rain shower. High: 37. Wind: SSW 5-10 mph.

  • The polar jet stream during the past six weeks has been basically northwest which allows colder air to move south, and periodically allowing the southern jet to move storms northward.

MILWAUKEE - A few slivers of sunshine are possible before another wave of light snow moves through late this afternoon and into the evening hours. 

Click here for a visual depiction of Jesse Ritka's Storm Team 4Cast.

This round will bring a light dusting up to a half an inch of snow but it will occur during the evening commute, creating a few slick spots.  

Temperatures stay cool for March, in the low 30s, and it will feel colder due to a westerly wind at 10-15mph.

Snow and flurries are still possible overnight but accumulation will be light, just a few tenths of an inch if that.  

We will be cold with lows dropping into the teens inland.  

We stay cold for March on Wednesday even though the skies will start to clear as the day goes on.

A brief period of light snow changing to light rain is possible on Thursday with temperatures increasing slightly.  

We'll be near 40 degrees on Friday but another quick system will bring a wintry mix into the forecast Friday evening through Saturday morning.

St. Patrick's Day looks to be the better day out of the weekend with partly cloudy skies and seasonably cool temps in the upper 30s.  

Another wintry mix is expected Monday and into Tuesday, alas it's March, the month of the mix.

Tuesday's Storm Team 4Cast from Jesse Ritka:

Today: Mostly cloudy, breezy with a few afternoon flurries and light snow showers possible.
High:   33.
Wind:  W 10-15 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, cold and breezy.
Lows:  20 Lakefront... 17 Waukesha & Inland.
Wind:  NW 10-15 mph.

Wednesday: Morning flurries possible then decreasing clouds, breezy and cold for March.
High:   32.
Wind:  NW 10-20 mph.

Wednesday night: Mostly clear and chilly for March.
Lows:  18 Lakefront... 13 Waukesha & Inland
Wind:  WNW 10-15 mph.

Thursday: Partly to mostly cloudy with a slight chance for a light snow or rain shower.
High:   37.
Wind:  SSW 5-10 mph.