Milana Doné
RACINE — Southeast Wisconsin can expect a storm system this weekend, bringing rain, freezing rain and snow accumulations.
According to meteorologist Michaela Heeren at the National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan station, the system is expected to begin with rain or a wintry mix on Saturday evening. It will be mainly rain for Kenosha and Racine areas, but the counties could see sleet mixing in if the temperatures fall below freezing.
Then, there will be a period of rain Sunday morning as temperatures warm again.
The rain will change back to freezing precipitation by the afternoon hours Sunday and then to snow in the overnight hours. The snow could accumulate between six and 12 inches because of lake enhancement.
“We have quite a bit of moisture that comes off the lake when we have melting patches, which will allow for taller clouds which will allow for moisture to be created into snow and fall across the lakeshore counties,” Heeren said.
Heeren clarified the enhancement isn’t exactly a lake effect snow band where there is a short window of snow but a broad scale snowstorm with “locally higher snow totals from that lake enhancement.”
Temperatures will fall below freezing Sunday night so most of snow will stick as it falls.
"Going into Monday, as well, we are expecting those temperatures to remain below freezing, so there’s not going to be a lot of melting once the transition (to snow) happens,” Heeren said.
The upcoming snow system will also bring widespread gusts of wind, which could reach 30-40 mph, Heeren said.
Sunday’s windchill be in the 20s. Overnight, between Sunday and Monday, the wind chill could reach zero.
Heeren noted this can cause worse visibility during driving conditions.
She said the National Weather Service expects transportation to be impacted by the weather, particularly when the sleet is transitioning to snow.
“Go slow, especially during the period of snowfall,” Heeren said. “Be prepared to have traction in your car, a shovel and anything that is available to be more protective if you’re going out during the time of snowfall.”
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