March 2023 has been one of the snowiest in Milwaukee history, and there is likely more snow to come
So far this March has brought at least one snow or rain storm a week resulting in historic snowfall numbers in the Milwaukee area and beyond.
And, according to the National Weather Service, there is still time for one more March storm.
This time coming from the northwest, Milwaukee is expected to see light snowfall Wednesday morning while a combination of rain and snow showers are predicted for the weekend. Here’s what we know about a very snowy March.
March 2023 snowfall total is highest since 1965
The storm that dropped nearly 10 inches of snow last week brought Milwaukee’s tally to 23.1 inches, meaning the Milwaukee area is now about 17 inches above its average snowfall for March. That is enough to rank this March as the eighth snowiest ever recorded in Milwaukee — and the highest total since 1965.
If you're wondering if there is still a chance to move into the top spot, it would appear to be very unlikely. That's because in March of 1881, the record holder, there was a whopping 52.1 inches of snow — equal to about 1.7 inches of snow every day.
Milwaukee is not the only area seeing more snow this month as Madison still has a small chance to break its record for the snowiest March ever recorded. As of Tuesday, Madison has seen 25.3 inches of snow — the fourth-highest March total ever — and the record for the month is 28.4 inches.
Right now Madison is only expected to get about an inch from the approaching storm, but if conditions change that could put the record within reach.
More snow is forecast for Wednesday morning in Milwaukee
In the Milwaukee area, snow is expected to start falling Wednesday morning and, according to weather service meteorologist Rebecca Hansen, it is likely going to complicate the morning commute.
“Wednesday morning looks like it's going to be that peak period of snow so just be sure to take it easy and give yourself extra time,” said Hansen.
While the timing isn't great, Milwaukee is only expected to get an inch or so of new snow and it will taper off as temperatures rise in the afternoon.
Mostly rain is expected for the weekend
Forecasts show temperatures starting to rise on Thursday and with another storm system expected on Friday and Saturday, that means precipitation will mostly come in the form of rain and Hansen said there is a chance for thunderstorms as well.
Saturday is harder to predict as there is a chance that cold air could move into the Milwaukee area and bring short periods of snow, but rain is expected later in the day. And any snow on Saturday will go toward April's total.
Is spring weather on the horizon in Milwaukee?
As forecasts predict rising temperatures for the next 10 days it is hard to ignore the possibility that Milwaukee will finally get to experience some spring weather, but Hansen said she would be cautious with that hope.
“There is always a chance that cold air or snow could come back during this time of year and I was always told ‘don't plant your garden until after Mother's day’ so I’m going to stick to that.”
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: March snow total ranks eighth all time in Milwaukee history for month
