Big storm could turn into big rain for Christmas

By Bill Novak, Capital Newspapers

We might need waders instead of snow shovels for Christmas.

A massive storm heading for Wisconsin could generate over an inch of rain Christmas Eve night in south central Wisconsin, according to the 5 a.m. Wednesday forecast from the National Weather Service.

"It will be a good idea to make sure the closest street drain to your residence is unclogged by snow and debris," the service said.

The storm was poised over New Mexico early Wednesday morning. It will move into northern Texas during the day, intensify and push into Missouri Thursday morning and Iowa on Thursday night.

Before the low pressure system moves into the upper Midwest, a surge of moisture could make roads treacherous beginning Wednesday afternoon and continuing into Thursday morning.

Weather Central meteorologist Brian Olson said light snow and sleet will develop Wednesday afternoon, especially south of Sauk Prairie, with a high of 32.

By nightfall, the snow/sleet mix will switch to a sleet/freezing rain mix.

Total snow accumulation of 1-3 inches is expected, with Sauk Prairie getting around 2 inches.

"Hazardous travel conditions are expected to develop rapidly over portions of southern Wisconsin late Wednesday afternoon and evening," the weather service said. "Stay abreast of the latest forecasts, and plan on altering your plans to stay ahead of the deteriorating weather."

A winter weather advisory takes effect at 6 p.m. Wednesday and continues to noon on Thursday, mainly due to a lingering mixture of light freezing rain and sleet Thursday morning.

Travelers heading to Grandma's house in Iowa or Minnesota for Christmas Eve might want to hit the highway as early as possible on Wednesday.

Snow accumulations of more than a foot are expected across much of western Iowa, Minnesota and western Wisconsin through Christmas, the weather service said.

South central Wisconsin will be on the "warm" side of the storm, so raindrops instead of snowflakes will dominate the region.

The rain is expected to start in earnest Thursday afternoon and could be heavy at times Thursday night, the weather service said.

"Rainfall of three-quarters of an inch to an inch and a quarter is expected to fall quickly on top of the current snow pack and frozen ground," the forecast said.

"This will likely result in minor flooding of area creeks, rivers and streams, and runoff could cause ponding on area roadways."

The high on Christmas Eve should be in the mid-30s, and winds will be gusting up to 35 mph.

The worst of the storm will be over come Christmas morning, as the storm weakens, according to forecasters.

Colder air wrapping around the low will bring periods of light snow Christmas Day into Saturday.

Snow isn't expected to accumulate much, with 1 to 2 inches possible between Christmas Day on Friday and Saturday night.

The low will track across Wisconsin Christmas night into Saturday. Highs are expected to drop down to the mid-20s Saturday and around 20 on Sunday.

Sunshine will finally break through to start the work week, with mostly sunny skies and highs in the mid-20s next Monday and Tuesday.