Local
Winter storm impacting area
Here’s an update on the winter storm working its way across Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Several warnings are in effect around the region as of Wednesday morning.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect until 6 p.m. on Wednesday for counties including La Crosse, Vernon, Houston, Monroe, Jackson, Trempealeau, and Buffalo.
Some of the cities that are in the warning area are La Crosse, Black River Falls, Viroqua, Caledonia, Sparta, and Tomah.
In the La Crosse area, the rain is changing over to snow. The La Crosse area total accumulations of 3-6 inches.
Winds are expected to increase with gusts as high as 45 mph.
Most of the main roads are reported as partially or completely covered in western Wisconsin according to the DOT.
A Blizzard Warning goes into effect at midnight through 3 p.m. for areas west of the Mississippi River.
Increasing winds and 1-2 inches of snowfall per hour could create blizzard conditions in southeastern Minnesota and northeastern Iowa. Wind gusts of 55 mph are expected.
Winona, Rochester, Wabasha, and Preston are some of the cities going under the Blizzard Warning.
Those areas are forecast to get 4-9 inches of snow from the storm and gusty winds up to 50 mph.
Traveling on Wednesday morning is expected to be difficult and potentially hazardous depending on the location with blowing and drifting snow reducing visibility for drivers.
One crash is reported on I-90 westbound just north of the interstate bridge from Wisconsin to Minnesota. Several spinouts were also reported by MnDOT.
Main roads in SE Minnesota are listed as partially or completely covered according to MnDOT’s travel information page.
Links to travel conditions for the tri-state area are below.
Those areas are forecast to get 4-9 inches of snow from the storm and gusty winds up to 50 mph.
View: National Weather Service Storm briefing
ROAD CONDITIONS AND TRAVEL INFORMATION
Each state has a free mobile app with travel and road condition reports.
As a result of the storm, a number of schools are closed around the area on Wednesday.
Some do have online learning days planned but most are closed.
Some area organizations, too, have canceled planned events for the day due to the weather.
Check ahead before venturing out.
For example, the La Crosse County Library Senior Moments program scheduled for Wednesday at the Onalaska Public Library is canceled.
