Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Green Bay, WI
Issued by NWS Green Bay, WI
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394 FXUS63 KGRB 031158 AFDGRB Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Green Bay WI 558 AM CST Sat Jan 3 2026 Updated aviation portion for 12Z TAF issuance .KEY MESSAGES... - A dusting to half an inch of snow today for most locations. Probabilities of more than 1" are ~5-10%. - A more impactful system will bring snow and freezing drizzle Sunday afternoon through early Monday morning, leading to some slippery travel Sunday evening and possibly into the Monday morning commute time. - Warmer temperatures are expected next week, which will bring precipitation type challenges to the systems coming through Tuesday and again late in the week. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 423 AM CST Sat Jan 3 2026 High pressure is building in from the west early this morning keeping the low levels dry, but higher up a mid-level short wave and upper jet energy are aiding in advancing mid and high clouds through the area. Some weak returns showing up on radar across central WI, but far too dry for anything to reach the ground. As the morning progresses, the dry wedge of air gains saturation, and with the continued lift from the upper level features, some light snow or flurries are expected to develop. Forecast remains very similar to previous runs, with a dusting to half an inch expected for most locations. Probabilities for greater than 1" of snow today are ~5-10% or less. Still, even a little snow can cause some slick spots on roads. Surface high pressure reestablishes this evening leading to clearing skies overnight into Sunday morning, aside from far north-central WI where NW winds will keep some lake induced clouds around. High pressure quickly departs Sunday afternoon allowing the next system to approach. Overall, minimal changes to the forecast for Sunday afternoon into Monday morning. Clipper is still on track to approach the area Sunday evening, and quickly depart to the east Monday morning. Strong LL warm advection ahead of this system will aid in bringing in moisture and lift to initiate precipitation, along with additional support from a mid-level shortwave and LFQ of upper jet. Timing may be an hour or two earlier than previous forecasts, but generally expect to start seeing snow in central WI between ~2-4PM, and reaching eastern WI ~4-7PM. Forecast soundings and cross sections show the period of deep saturation and strong lift is relatively brief, lasting about 3-6 hours. Therefore, expect most of the snow to occur between ~00-06Z/Mon, maybe a little earlier in central WI. After 06Z, start to see moisture erode in the DGZ, although there remains a couple hours where saturation is right up to about -10C, just beneath the layer where you`d expect to see ice crystals for snow formation. So, there is some uncertainty for how long snow will persist past 06Z, and if/how long a period of freezing drizzle may occur after the main snow. Continued to include light freezing drizzle in the forecast overnight until about 12Z/Mon, and a little longer in eastern WI as the system departs. This should mainly fall on fresh snow, and not lead to many additional impacts. Total snow from this even is similar to the previous forecast. The probabilities for 1" of snow have a large range across the forecast area, from 30-95% from SW to NE, lowest across Wood and Waushara counties, and highest near the U.P. border. The potential for 4" of snow is greatest north of a Rhinelander to Sturgeon Bay, where probabilities are 30-50%. An Advisory may eventually be needed, especially for northern/northeast WI. Slippery and hazardous travel is expected late Sunday afternoon and overnight, and possibly into the Monday morning commute time, especially across the east. After Monday, there remain several opportunities for precip as the pattern remains active. Most notably on Tuesday/Tuesday night and Friday/Saturday. P-types will be an issue as warmer air arrives and highs surge into the 30s during the days, but fall into the 20s at night. Additionally, the ground/roads may still be cold following the recent stretch of cold weather, which could produce additional road impacts with any ptype. && .AVIATION...for 12Z TAF Issuance Issued at 558 AM CST Sat Jan 3 2026 Starting to see dips to MVFR across north-central WI this morning as light snow arrives, creating lowering vsbys and cigs. Light snow will continue to spread across the area this morning, and end from west to east in the ~18-21Z time window. Expect flight conditions to fall to MVFR at most locations as the snow moves through, with temporary vsby drops to IFR not out of the question at the central and north-central WI TAF sites (KRHI, KAUW, KCWA). Improvements this evening and overnight as skies clear for most, although lake clouds will continue at KRHI. Winds will be out of the WNW throughout the TAF period and generally 10 kts or less. Another round of snow is expected Sunday afternoon and overnight which will lower flight categories. && .GRB WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ DISCUSSION.....KLJ AVIATION.......KLJ