EAU CLAIRE — As a significant winter storm approaches the exact path is beginning to come into focus.
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Forecasters with the National Weather Service expect the heaviest snow Wednesday to fall in a narrow band, meaning even small changes in the storm’s path could have significant effects on total accumulations. The NWS update Tuesday morning predicted “a razor sharp snowfall gradient along the northwest edge of the band.”
Unfortunately for the Chippewa Valley, the meteorologists expect that northwest edge to run in a line from the Twin Cities to Hayward, keeping this part of Wisconsin in the main snow band. A total of 4-8 inches is expected, with a larger 4-9 inches expected to the southwest, just across the Wisconsin-Minnesota border.
That could mean the area sees extraordinary snowfall rates. According to the NWS “heavy snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour will be possible along a narrow band where isolated amounts of up to a foot will be possible.”
The snow will be preceded by rain, changing over at about 8 a.m. A wintry mix is expected to last until about noon, when snow will take over completely. The heaviest amounts are expected between 1-6 p.m., though the snow will persist for the rest of the day.
Temperatures in the Chippewa Valley will fall throughout the day, with the high of 42 happening around midnight. Winds will pick up as well, with peak gusts around 37 mph in the afternoon. That will complicate efforts to clear streets.
There are still considerable differences in forecasts, though, with Accuweather predicting the snow will begin in the overnight hours. That earlier start means their meteorologists expect a higher total of 6-10 inches.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Weather Channel predicts only 1-3 inches of snow for Eau Claire.
What all of the forecasts agree on is that temperatures will rebound fairly quickly. Normal high temperatures for this time of year are in the low 40s, and those are expected to return Thursday.
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