Blizzard warning issued for Appleton area today as 10-15 inches in forecast; here is latest on closings
APPLETON – After a slow start, the snowfall and winds picked up Friday afternoon as blizzard conditions blew into the Fox Valley.
The National Weather Service Green Bay issued a winter storm warning for the area from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, which turns to a blizzard warning from 3 p.m. Friday to noon Saturday.
Wind gusts may reach up to 50 miles per hour in the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service, which could impact power lines and cause outages.
People are advised to avoid travel if possible.
Here's what to know about the possible blizzard, which schools are canceled, and how the snow is affecting flights at local airports. This story will be updated with more event closings throughout the day.
What qualifies as a blizzard?
The National Weather Service defines a blizzard as blowing snow and visibility of under a quarter mile for at least three consecutive hours, said Scott Berschback, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Green Bay.
During the winter storm Friday morning and early afternoon, the snow is going to be "on the wetter side," Berschback said. By around 3 p.m., it will shift to a "fluffier" consistency, creating the blizzard conditions.
The worst conditions will likely come around 4 or 5 p.m., Berschback said, but roads will remain hazardous through Saturday morning.
With bitter cold temperatures coming over the weekend, the snow should stick around for a while.
“Winter has arrived, and it’s going to stick around for at least a week or two," Berschback said.
4 p.m.: Steady snowfall on track for predicted 10- to 15-inch total
As of mid-afternoon Friday, snow was accumulating as expected. Phil Kurmiski, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Green Bay, said that based on totals reported so far, most of the Appleton and Green Bay areas are on track to get snowfall totals in the predicted 10- to 15-inch range.
Stockbridge, in Calumet County, reported the most snow in the Fox Valley area so far, with 9 inches as of 2:45 p.m., according to the National Weather Service Green Bay.
Around the same time, Darboy reported 5 inches and parts of Appleton had about 4.5 inches.
3 p.m.: Valley Transit tells riders to expect delays
As travel conditions worsen Friday afternoon, Valley Transit announced on Facebook for bus riders to expect delays.
Valley Transit encourages people to stay up to date with the current bus schedule by visiting ridemyvalleytransit.com/map.
3 p.m.: Health clinics close early
All Prevea Health clinics and urgent care centers closed at noon Friday. Select urgent care centers will reopen at noon Saturday.
Some ThedaCare clinics will close their doors early Friday due to to the weather. According to ThedaCare's Facebook:
Primary care offices closed at 3 p.m.
Rural urgent and walk-m care locations closed at 3 p.m.
Specialty locations will close at 4 p.m.
Appleton and Neenah urgent care centers will close at 5 p.m.
All existing ThedaCare patients can have video visits until 7 p.m. Friday.
1:30 p.m.: Appleton City Hall closes early
Appleton City Hall and all other city departments closed at 1:30 p.m. Friday, and will not open until Monday morning.
11:45 a.m.: Snow emergencies declared in multiple Fox Cities
Some Fox Cities have declared a "snow emergency," meaning no parking is allowed on city or village streets, in order for snow plows and emergency vehicle to get through.
The village of Kimberly has a no-parking rule in place from 9 a.m. Friday through 6 p.m. Saturday.
Neenah's lasts from 6 p.m. Friday through noon Sunday.
Fox Crossing issued a no-parking snow emergency shortly before 3 p.m. Friday, lasting until noon Saturday.
While Appleton has no parking prohibition in place, the city requested people avoid parking on city streets "unless absolutely necessary" Friday until after 10 p.m. Saturday.
Any vehicle parked on city streets will be ticketed and may be towed at the owner's expense.
11 a.m.: Tow bans issued
Outagamie and Waupaca counties both issued county-wide tow bans — Outagamie's starting at 11 a.m. and Waupaca's at noon —meaning no vehicles can be towed if they are not an immediate hazard, unless towing is requested by emergency personnel.
11 a.m.: FVTC closes early
Fox Valley Technical College will close at 2 p.m. Friday due to the weather.
11 a.m.: Library closes early
The Appleton Public Library will close at 2 p.m. Friday because of the weather.
Trout Museum event postponed
Trout Museum of Art's exhibit opening celebration, which was scheduled for Friday evening, has been postponed to 5-8 p.m. Feb. 23.
How much snow will we get?
According to the National Weather Service Green Bay, the Fox Valley and much of northeastern Wisconsin can expect 10 to 15 inches total from Friday's and Saturday's snow.
Much more snow is anticipated than came to the area Tuesday — the Fox Valley's first winter storm of the season.
What schools have closed?
School and all after-school activities are canceled Friday for all the major school districts in the Fox Valley, including:
Appleton Area School District
Kimberly Area School District
Kaukauna School District
Little Chute Area School District
Menasha Joint School District
Neenah Joint School Districthttps://www.fvtc.edu/
However, the Neenah Joint School District and Kimberly High School will have a virtual learning day.
Fox Valley Technical College was closing all its locations at 2 pm. Friday and all day Saturday. Staff is working remotely on Friday.
How will the snow impact travel?
"Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening," the National Weather Service's blizzard warning reads.
The National Weather Service advises people to avoid travel except for emergencies.
People who must drive in the snowstorm should have "a winter survival kit," including a flashlight, food, water and cold weather gear. Anyone who gets stranded while travelling should stay in their vehicle, according to the National Weather Service Green Bay.
Motorists can get the latest road conditions by calling 511 or going online.
As for flights, both Appleton International Airport and Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport have many canceled and delayed departures and arrivals due to Friday's weather. The most recent updates can be found on the two airports' websites.
This story will be updated.
RELATED: Days after the Fox Valley's first winter storm of the season, more snow coming Friday
Rebecca Loroff contributed to this report.
Kelli Arseneau can be reached at 920-213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @ArseneauKelli.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Appleton weather: Blizzard warning issued for Fox Valley
