Winter Storm Watch Iowa, Wisconsin | Effective 03/13/2026 19:31

...MAJOR WINTER STORM SATURDAY NIGHT INTO MONDAY MORNING... .A prolonged, high-impact winter storm will impact the region from Saturday night through Monday morning. Highest snow totals in excess of 12 to 18 inches are favored north of Interstate 90 with some locales north of Highway 10 approaching 24 inches. Along Interstate 90, a wintry mix of snow, freezing rain, and sleet makes it difficult to pin down exact snow and ice amounts, but impacts are warranting of a winter storm warning. Across northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin, snow does not look to arrive until Sunday afternoon, so the winter storm watch is maintained until further details can be ascertained. Increasing winds Sunday afternoon and night should result in whiteout conditions for exposed locales and an upgrade to a blizzard warning is likely once the exact threat area is determined. Regardless of exact snow amounts, expect major travel impacts regionwide with some roads possibly impassable, especially in wind-prone areas. * WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation possible. Total snow and sleet accumulations between 3 and 8 inches and ice accumulations around one tenth of an inch possible. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph and may result in blizzard conditions later Sunday into Monday morning. * WHERE...Portions of north central and northeast Iowa and southwest Wisconsin. * WHEN...From late Saturday night through Monday afternoon. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches, especially those coated in ice.