County Executive Crowley declares a snow emergency, as Milwaukee is expecting 6 to 10 inches of snow Thursday; city under a winter storm warning

Thursday's winter storm watch has been upgraded to a winter storm warning as the biggest storm of the season could drop up to 10 inches on Milwaukee.

After initial uncertainty about an approaching snowstorm's path, experts at the National Weather Service are now confident that the low-pressure system is heading directly toward southern Wisconsin — putting various counties, including Milwaukee County, under a winter storm watch, which was upgraded to a warning just before 2 p.m. The warning kicks in at 9 a.m. Thursday and will continue until 9 p.m.

Most of southeastern Wisconsin is under the warning including Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Waukesha, Washington, Racine and Kenosha counties.

Projections for 6 to 10 inches of snow to fall in the Milwaukee area would be enough to bring this year's February snowfall numbers to at, or above, average with just one storm.

Marquette University cancels all classes

Marquette University sent an alert to students and staff late Wednesday night saying that campus will be closed on Thursday.

"All classes are canceled," the university said. This goes for both in-person and virtual classes.

Only employees who are required to come to campus during a university closing should be on campus, and employees with a university-issued laptop are expected to work remotely or use a vacation day, the university said.

Some areas of campus will remain open, with limited on-campus services and hours might be reduced. These locations include Alumni Memorial Union, Facilities Planning and Management, Information Technology Services, Marquette University Police Department, Raynor Memorial Libraries, Rec Plex/Rec Plex Nest, and University Dining Services.

County Executive declares a snow emergency

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley has declared a snow emergency beginning at 6 a.m. Thursday lasting through midnight Friday.

All nonessential departments will be closed, including the Milwaukee County Courthouse, Vel Phillips Detention Center and Marcia P. Coggs Building (with the exception of the Behavioral Health Mobile Crisis Teams).

Nonessential telework employees should telework, the County Executive's statement said, while scheduled employees who are nonessential but unable to telework should use the 'CLOSE' code in Dayforce.

Milwaukee's area schools begin calling off classes

Milwaukee Public Schools decided to cancel classes Thursday. "All schools and district offices are closed as well as all district after school, recreation and athletic programs and events," the district said in a statement.

Many of Milwaukee's suburbs canceled school as well. The following Milwaukee County school districts have announced a snow day:

Wauwatosa, West Allis-West Milwaukee, Whitnall, Greenfield, Greendale, Franklin, Oak Creek, Brown Deer, Glendale-River Hills, Fox Point-Bayside, Shorewood, Cudahy, and South Milwaukee.

Related:List of Milwaukee area schools and facilities that are closing, as storm approaches

Snow to start Thursday morning

Set to start in the early hours of Thursday morning, the snow is expected to increase as temperatures drop and the storm system moves in.

Ben Miller, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service, said drivers should expect to battle the snow during both the morning and evening commutes.

"The snow should be going strong during both rush hours so, if you can, make time to plan around it and be patient when driving," Miller said.

Snowfall is expected to peak during the day on Thursday and will stop in the late evening hours. High winds are expected to accompany the snow as well and there could be gusts as high as 40 mph.

Snowstorm is now headed directly toward Milwaukee

Initially, experts were uncertain just how much this system would affect the Milwaukee area as there was a chance it would take a more southern path through Illinois, and away from Wisconsin.

But by early Wednesday morning, the storm was headed toward a large chunk of southern Wisconsin.

“It looks like the path of the storm is really hitting the sweet spot for southern Wisconsin so that means we are going to get a good chunk of snow that will likely last the whole day on Thursday,” Miller said.

Lake effect and winter storm could mean up to 10 inches of snow

Originally a winter storm watch, that has now been upgraded to a warning meaning that the NWS has more confidence that the Milwaukee area will see extreme snow conditions on Thursday.

With recent warm temperatures heating up Lake Michigan, lake effect also will be in play on Thursday as the already impressive snowfall numbers could grow as high as 10 inches by the end of the day.

Milwaukee has dodged most of the storms so far this month

This February, the Milwaukee area is about 5 inches below its average snowfall, but this snowfall could put Milwaukee above average for February by the storm's end.

For the winter season, the city is still about 12 inches below the average snowfall of 31 inches for this time of the season. It’s important to note that Milwaukee's lack of snow this year is not a statewide phenomenon as places like Madison have seen snowfall numbers that are above average.

Miller said that the explanation for this could just be that Milwaukee has been able to avoid many of the storm systems that have entered the state this winter.

“Snow has still been coming into the state, it’s just that it hasn’t moved into Milwaukee for whatever reason this year,” Miller said.

Temperatures are expected to drop and rise again

Much of February has brought more above-average temperatures and this system is not expected to change that long term.

Miller said that as the system approaches temperatures and wind chills will drop on Thursday and Friday, but by the weekend Milwaukee should be seeing highs in the 40s again.

Milwaukee weather radar

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee under winter storm watch, 6-10 inches of snow in forecast