Major Winter Storm Has Potential To Cripple Area And Holiday Travel

***This story will be modified as new weather data comes in and is analyzed.*** Updated Tuesday, December 20, 2022 6:30 AM

All eyes continue to be on the winter storm that is forecast to develop and effect a large portion of the Great Lakes area later this week.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for all of southeast Wisconsin including Fond du Lac County for Thursday through Friday night.

The good news is forecast models have sped up the time frame that the storm would have affected our area, which should lower snowfall totals from what was initially thought to fall.

Past model runs had the storm stalling just to our southeast, causing an extended duration of snowfall. While the latest model runs are still showing the storm hanging out for a bit, it’s not quite as prolonged as it had been.

The storm is still expected to intensify as it passes our area, which will cause winds to blow to near blizzard conditions for part of the time frame.

As with all winter storms, it’s exact path and snow totals will not be able to be accurately forecast until closer to the time it arrives in our area, but at this time, the forecasted path of the low pressure is just to our south which gives southeast Wisconsin a high probability of seeing significant snowfall.

Bitter cold temperatures will move in behind the storm bringing wind chill temperatures to double digit numbers below 0 for much of Friday through Sunday, at some points getting to 20 degrees or more below 0.

The general consensus of the models as of this morning is showing about 6 inches of snow falling with the storm, but with considerable blowing and drifting, travel will still be difficult.

Stay tuned to KFIZ as we track this potentially dangerous storm.