Holly Gilvary
RACINE COUNTY — Racine and Kenosha counties should prepare for a snowy weekend as the biggest snowstorm since 2023 rolls into southern Wisconsin.
Six to 10 inches of snowfall are possible in Racine County and 5-9 inches are estimated in Kenosha County, according to the National Weather Service.
A winter storm warning goes into effect for southeast Wisconsin starting 3 a.m. Saturday morning until 6 a.m. Sunday.
Snow emergencies declared
In Kenosha County, the City of Kenosha and the villages of Pleasant Prairie and Somers have issued snow emergencies.
Kenosha's snow emergency starts at noon Saturday and ends at 7 a.m. on Monday; Pleasant Prairie's will last from midnight Saturday to noon Sunday; and Somers' will be in effect from noon Saturday through noon Sunday.
In Kenosha, parking on all city streets will be prohibited, allowing public works crews more space to plow the streets during and after the snowstorm; however, the city will allow overnight parking in designated Downtown and Uptown city parking lots to ease the burden of finding parking during snow emergencies.
Residents should observe posted snow route regulations.
During declared snow emergencies, city residents may park on front lawns. It is illegal to blow, plow or shovel snow into city streets.
In Pleasant Prairie, no parking is allowed on village streets during the declared snow emergency. All snow emergency parking restrictions will be enforced throughout this time period.
For more information about Pleasant Prairie's Snow and Ice Removal Plan, visit https://www.pleasantprairiewi.gov/cms/one.aspx?pageId=10822557.
In Somers, parking is prohibited on roadways during a snow emergency to allow for crews to clean up the roads. Residents are reminded to park their vehicles accordingly.
Kenosha County Highway crews readied equipment on Friday.
"We are prepared; we're ready," said county Highway Director Greg Boldt. "As we monitor the forecast, crews will be deployed as needed to begin snow removal operations."
In Racine County, Sturtevant and Mount Pleasant have declared snow emergencies.
Sturtevant's snow emergency will last from 6 a.m. Saturday through 6 a.m. Sunday. All vehicles must be off village streets during the snow emergency to ensure safe and efficient plowing.
Mount Pleasant is under a snow emergency from midnight Saturday until noon Sunday. Parking restrictions will be in effect during that time.
During the snow emergency, parking is only allowed on village streets where alternate-side parking regulations are in effect year-round.
Mount Pleasant residents must also clear snow from the sidewalks along their properties by 10 a.m. of each day during a snow storm.
In an email Friday morning, Racine Police Department Public Information Officer Sgt. Alicia Mitchell said if the Racine Department of Public Works declares a snow emergency, parking restrictions will be enforced and citations and towing are applicable. Updates will be shared on the city's Facebook page, she said.
When will the snow start?
Snowflakes will likely start to fly at 3 a.m. in Racine and Kenosha when the winter storm warning takes effect, and snowfall will increase after daybreak, according to NWS Meteorologist Kevin Wagner. More accumulation is expected later Saturday morning and into the afternoon.
"The heaviest, highest snowfall rates definitely look to be late Saturday morning into the afternoon, early evening hours," he said.
Snowfall totaling less than half an inch may still occur on Sunday after the winter storm warning expires.
Communities immediately along the lakefront may receive a wetter snow with lower snow amounts, as Lake Michigan's temperatures are still fairly warm in the 40s, Wagner said. Areas farther inland, such as Burlington and Twin Lakes, may see higher amounts of snowfall.
Travelers heading home after the Thanksgiving holiday should pay attention to the forecast and may even need to alter plans Saturday to avoid dangerous road conditions, Wagner said.
"It's going to be a lot of snow on the roads and it's going to be maybe a little bit challenging (for snowplows) to keep up in keeping them clear, because (the snow is) just going to continue," he said.
While the snowfall will slow Sunday evening, temperatures are expected to drop.
Racine and Kenosha counties will both see low temperatures in the single digits Sunday night, and high temperatures Monday in the low 20s. Winds are not expected to be strong, but could bring sub-zero-temperature wind chills, according to Wagner.
Kenosha County tree lighting rescheduled
Kenosha County also has postponed its planned outdoor holiday tree lighting ceremony in Petrifying Springs Park in Somers. Originally scheduled Saturday afternoon, it has been moved to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
John Sloca of the Kenosha News contributed to this story.
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