The April 2-3, 2024 Damaging Winter Storm

April 2-3, 2024 Damaging Winter Storm

Event Overview

An rapidly intensifying area of low pressure moving across Illinois to southern Lake Michigan on the afternoon of April 2 brought copious amounts of rain and heavy wet snow, damaging winds, and thunderstorms. The storm left over 100,000 people across the state without power during the height of the storm.

Rain and snow developed during the morning of April 2, mainly south of Highway 29, which continued into the early afternoon. The rain was mainly confined to the Fox Valley and lake shore. With air and road temperatures above freezing, little snow accumulation was noted through the mid-afternoon hours. As the low pressure system moved northeast and strengthened, a band of heavier precipitation moved into the Fox Valley and lake shore by the late afternoon, resulting in a change over to heavy wet snow with rapidly increasing snowfall rates. As a result, travel conditions deteriorated quickly around sunset due to the cooling temperatures, high snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour and very low visibilities down to 1/4 mile at times. Thunderstorms were also reported across northeast Wisconsin, especially in the Green Bay Metro area where vivid cloud to ground lightning strikes were observed during the evening.

Strong NNE winds also developed during the late afternoon on April 2, and continued through the evening. The highest peak gust of 56 mph was recorded at the Green Bay Airport. Most locations recorded wind gusts of 30 to 50 mph. The combination of the strong winds and concrete-type snow led to numerous reports of trees and power lines down across northeast Wisconsin. At the height of the storm, over 100,000 people across the state (mostly in northeast Wisconsin) were without power. Also, the strong northeast winds created just over a 2 foot rise in water levels at the mouth of the Bay of Green Bay.

The storm brought liquid precipitation (rain & snow water equivalent) totals of 1 to 2.50 inches across northeast Wisconsin, including the Fox Valley and lakeshore, with lower totals to the north and west. Snowfall totals (see map above right) over 6 inches were noted across portions of north-central and far northeast Wisconsin, southward into the Fox Valley, and as far west as Wautoma and Plover. If temperatures were just a degree or two colder, snowfall amounts may have been substantially higher!

RAP Surface Analysis - Wind barbs and mean sea level pressure (MSLP). The track of the low pressure system is denoted by the "L" on the analysis.

Please see tabs below for more information.

(Note: Estimated total snow accumulation map above may not reflect all snowfall reports, as it was generated based on reports received.)

RAP 500mb Analysis - Wind barbs, wind speed (shaded), and heights (solid black lines). White "J" denotes the approximate location of the strong jet maximum.

Snow Reports
Records
Photos
Radar/Satellite/Other Images
Peak Winds

Snow Reports

Preliminary Local Storm Report...Summary
National Weather Service Green Bay WI
225 PM CDT Wed Apr 3 2024

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0900 AM     Snow             4 N Phelps              46.12N 89.08W
04/03/2024  E11.0 Inch       Vilas              WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station LVDW3 Phelps 4.2 N.
            Mentioned in windy conditions, snow will
            blow over the gage and will not make an
            accurate catch. Reading is an estimate.

1000 PM     Snow             Pulcifer                44.84N 88.34W
04/02/2024  M9.5 Inch        Shawano            WI   Public



0646 AM     Snow             4 E Eagle River         45.91N 89.17W
04/03/2024  M8.8 Inch        Vilas              WI   CO-OP Observer



1020 PM     Snow             Greenville              44.29N 88.53W
04/02/2024  M8.0 Inch        Outagamie          WI   Public



0730 AM     Snow             3 SW Rhinelander        45.60N 89.45W
04/03/2024  M8.0 Inch        Oneida             WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station RHIW3 Rhinelander 2
            SW.

0820 AM     Snow             4 ESE Mc Naughton       45.70N 89.48W
04/03/2024  M8.0 Inch        Oneida             WI   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station WI-ON-14 Rhinelander 5.5
            NW.

0500 AM     Snow             2 WNW Appleton          44.28N 88.44W
04/03/2024  M7.8 Inch        Outagamie          WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station APPW3 Appleton.

0900 PM     Snow             1 S Omro                44.02N 88.75W
04/02/2024  M7.4 Inch        Winnebago          WI   Public

            Over 7in of snow currently with heavy snow
            still falling- power is out.

0750 PM     Snow             Greenville              44.29N 88.53W
04/02/2024  M7.2 Inch        Outagamie          WI   Public



0630 AM     Snow             2 SE New London         44.36N 88.72W
04/03/2024  M7.2 Inch        Outagamie          WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station NONW3 New London 2
            SE.

1000 PM     Snow             1 NNE High Cliff State  44.17N 88.27W
04/02/2024  E7.0 Inch        Calumet            WI   Public



0600 AM     Snow             7 NNE Hamburg           45.18N 89.85W
04/03/2024  M7.0 Inch        Lincoln            WI   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station WI-LN-2 Merrill 7 W.

0600 AM     Snow             7 NNE Hamburg           45.18N 89.85W
04/03/2024  M7.0 Inch        Lincoln            WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station MLLW3 Merrill 8 W.

0600 AM     Snow             2 S Sugar Bush          44.45N 88.73W
04/03/2024  M7.0 Inch        Outagamie          WI   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station WI-OG-18 New London 4.1 N.

0700 AM     Snow             4 WNW Oconto            44.89N 87.95W
04/03/2024  M7.0 Inch        Oconto             WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station OCNW3 Oconto 4 W.

1106 AM     Snow             2.85 N Rhinelander      45.67N 89.41W
04/03/2024  M7.0 Inch        Oneida             WI   Trained Spotter



0630 AM     Snow             1 W Silver Lake         44.04N 89.24W
04/03/2024  M6.9 Inch        Waushara           WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station WAOW3 Wautoma 3 SE.

0600 AM     Snow             1 N Waupaca             44.35N 89.06W
04/03/2024  M6.8 Inch        Waupaca            WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station WWWW3 Waupaca 1 E.

0845 AM     Snow             Shiocton                44.43N 88.58W
04/03/2024  M6.8 Inch        Outagamie          WI   Public

            Lots of melting and compressing. Light snow
            still occurring.

0800 AM     Snow             2 NNE Darboy            44.25N 88.36W
04/03/2024  M6.7 Inch        Outagamie          WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station APLW3 Appleton WHBY
            Radio.

0800 AM     Snow             2 W Blaine              44.31N 89.35W
04/03/2024  M6.7 Inch        Portage            WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station AMDW3 Almond 5 NE.

0700 AM     Snow             2 ENE Ellison Bay       45.26N 87.03W
04/03/2024  M6.5 Inch        Door               WI   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station WI-DR-5 Ellison Bay 1 ENE.

0800 AM     Snow             1 S Antigo              45.13N 89.15W
04/03/2024  M6.5 Inch        Langlade           WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station ANTW3 Antigo 1 SSW.

0100 PM     Snow             2 WNW Ashwaubenon       44.50N 88.11W
04/03/2024  M6.5 Inch        Brown              WI   Official NWS Obs

            Storm total snowfall.

0700 AM     Snow             Tomahawk                45.46N 89.73W
04/03/2024  M6.4 Inch        Lincoln            WI   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station WI-LN-7 Tomahawk 1.2 SSW.

0753 PM     Snow             Hortonville             44.33N 88.63W
04/02/2024  M6.3 Inch        Outagamie          WI   Public



0700 AM     Snow             1 ENE Mountain          45.18N 88.46W
04/03/2024  M6.3 Inch        Oconto             WI   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station WI-OC-8 Mountain 0.9 E.

0800 AM     Snow             1 NNW Split Rock        44.72N 89.02W
04/03/2024  M6.3 Inch        Shawano            WI   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station WI-SW-3 Split Rock 1 NNW.

0800 AM     Snow             1 SE White Lake         45.15N 88.74W
04/03/2024  M6.3 Inch        Langlade           WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station WLKW3 White Lake 1.4
            SE.

0800 AM     Snow             1 NNW Flintville        44.66N 88.12W
04/03/2024  M6.3 Inch        Brown              WI   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station WI-BN-6 Suamico 4.4 WNW.

0600 AM     Snow             1 N Pulaski             44.68N 88.23W
04/03/2024  M6.1 Inch        Oconto             WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station PULW3 Pulaski - WWTP.

0755 PM     Snow             8 N Iola                44.62N 89.11W
04/02/2024  M6.0 Inch        Waupaca            WI   Public



0900 PM     Snow             Waushara County         44.06N 89.29W
04/02/2024  E6.0 Inch        Waushara           WI   Emergency Mngr

            Roads are slippery 6+ inches of snow. Rural
            roads not being plowed. Trees down in
            several municipalities.

0500 AM     Snow             Summit Lake             45.38N 89.19W
04/03/2024  M6.0 Inch        Langlade           WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station SULW3 Summit Lake.

0700 AM     Snow             1 NNW Spread Eagle      45.89N 88.14W
04/03/2024  M6.0 Inch        Florence           WI   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station WI-FL-4 Spread Eagle 1 NW.

0700 AM     Snow             1 ENE Chilton           44.03N 88.15W
04/03/2024  M6.0 Inch        Calumet            WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station CHIW3 Chilton 0.5 E.

0735 AM     Snow             1 NW Argonne            45.67N 88.90W
04/03/2024  M6.0 Inch        Forest             WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station AGNW3 Argonne 1.5 NW.

0800 AM     Snow             2 WSW Clay Banks        44.70N 87.40W
04/03/2024  M6.0 Inch        Door               WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station FORW3 Forestville 4
            E.

0800 AM     Snow             6 NW Conover            46.09N 89.35W
04/03/2024  M5.9 Inch        Vilas              WI   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station WI-VL-23 Conover 4.8 WNW.

0700 AM     Snow             2 N Oshkosh             44.03N 88.56W
04/03/2024  M5.8 Inch        Winnebago          WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station OKHW3 Oshkosh.

0730 AM     Snow             1 SE Hazelhurst         45.78N 89.70W
04/03/2024  M5.8 Inch        Oneida             WI   Trained Spotter



0745 AM     Snow             4 W New Franken         44.52N 87.91W
04/03/2024  M5.8 Inch        Brown              WI   Broadcast Media

            Still snowing at the time of the
            observation.

0530 AM     Snow             3 E Pella               44.74N 88.74W
04/03/2024  M5.6 Inch        Shawano            WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station PELW3 Pella 3 SE.

0530 AM     Snow             3 SE Wisconsin Rapids   44.37N 89.80W
04/03/2024  M5.6 Inch        Wood               WI   CO-OP Observer



0700 AM     Snow             10 NE Boulder Junction  46.19N 89.46W
04/03/2024  M5.6 Inch        Vilas              WI   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station WI-VL-9 Boulder Junction 9
            ENE.

0800 PM     Snow             Oshkosh                 44.01N 88.55W
04/02/2024  M5.5 Inch        Winnebago          WI   Amateur Radio



0620 AM     Snow             Little Chute            44.28N 88.26W
04/03/2024  M5.5 Inch        Outagamie          WI   Public

            Report courtesy of WFRV-TV.

0700 AM     Snow             1 SE Neenah             44.17N 88.45W
04/03/2024  M5.5 Inch        Winnebago          WI   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station WI-WN-9 Neenah 1.1 ENE.

0755 AM     Snow             9 E Amberg              45.48N 87.81W
04/03/2024  M5.5 Inch        Marinette          WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station ABGW3 Amberg 9 E.

0730 AM     Snow             4 N Tilleda             44.87N 88.90W
04/03/2024  M5.3 Inch        Shawano            WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station BOWW3
            Stockbridge-Munsee Reservation.

0815 AM     Snow             1 E Plover              44.45N 89.46W
04/03/2024  M5.2 Inch        Portage            WI   Public

            Report relayed via social media.

0700 AM     Snow             1 N Menasha             44.21N 88.44W
04/03/2024  M5.1 Inch        Winnebago          WI   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station WI-WN-31 Menasha 0.3 W.

0950 AM     Snow             3 SW De Pere            44.42N 88.09W
04/03/2024  M5.1 Inch        Brown              WI   Public

            Lots of melting and compressing. Light snow
            at ob time.

0730 PM     Snow             3 N New London          44.42N 88.75W
04/02/2024  M5.0 Inch        Waupaca            WI   Public



0648 AM     Snow             3 W Goodnow             45.70N 89.69W
04/03/2024  M5.0 Inch        Oneida             WI   Public



0700 AM     Snow             Heafford Junction       45.54N 89.71W
04/03/2024  M5.0 Inch        Lincoln            WI   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station WI-LN-6 Tomahawk 4.6 N.

0700 AM     Snow             4 N White Lake          44.41N 88.95W
04/03/2024  M5.0 Inch        Waupaca            WI   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station WI-WP-5 Manawa 3.6 SSW.

0700 AM     Snow             Wisconsin Rapids        44.40N 89.84W
04/03/2024  M5.0 Inch        Wood               WI   CO-OP Observer



0700 AM     Snow             4 NNE Lily              45.34N 88.81W
04/03/2024  M5.0 Inch        Langlade           WI   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station WI-LG-10 Lily 3.3 NE.

0730 AM     Snow             1 SE Peshtigo           45.03N 87.74W
04/03/2024  M5.0 Inch        Marinette          WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station PSHW3 Peshtigo 1 S.

0840 PM     Snow             Wautoma                 44.07N 89.29W
04/02/2024  M4.8 Inch        Waushara           WI   Amateur Radio



0700 AM     Snow             1 NW Saint Germain      45.92N 89.49W
04/03/2024  M4.8 Inch        Vilas              WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station STGW3 St Germain 0.6
            NW.

0700 AM     Snow             2 WSW Omro              44.02N 88.78W
04/03/2024  M4.7 Inch        Winnebago          WI   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station WI-WN-7 Omro 1 WSW.

0800 AM     Snow             2 SW Shawano            44.76N 88.62W
04/03/2024  M4.7 Inch        Shawano            WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station SHHW3 Shawano 2 SSW.

0600 AM     Snow             Arbor Vitae             45.92N 89.66W
04/03/2024  M4.6 Inch        Vilas              WI   Public



1020 PM     Snow             4 W Crandon             45.56N 88.98W
04/02/2024  M4.5 Inch        Forest             WI   Public



0600 AM     Snow             1 SE Willow Reservoir   45.70N 89.83W
04/03/2024  M4.5 Inch        Oneida             WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station WILW3 Willow.

0800 AM     Snow             1 NE Denmark            44.35N 87.81W
04/03/2024  M4.5 Inch        Brown              WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station DENW3 Denmark WWTP.

0830 AM     Snow             1 S Shawano             44.76N 88.59W
04/03/2024  M4.5 Inch        Shawano            WI   Trained Spotter

            The bottom inch of the snow on concrete was
            slush.

0930 AM     Snow             2 NNW Wausaukee         45.38N 87.96W
04/03/2024  M4.5 Inch        Marinette          WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station WSKW3 Wausaukee 1.6
            NW.

0900 PM     Snow             7 W Merrill             45.18N 89.82W
04/02/2024  M4.2 Inch        Lincoln            WI   Cocorahs



0614 AM     Snow             Wausau                  44.96N 89.63W
04/03/2024  M4.2 Inch        Marathon           WI   CO-OP Observer

            4.2 inch total so far. Water Equiv 0.68
            inch. Max wind gust 31 mph.

0614 AM     Snow             Plover                  44.45N 89.53W
04/03/2024  M4.2 Inch        Portage            WI   CO-OP Observer

            4.2 inch total so far. Water equiv 0.68
            inch. Max wind gust 31 mph.

0700 AM     Snow             4 ESE Caldron Falls Res 45.36N 88.19W
04/03/2024  M4.2 Inch        Marinette          WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station CRVW3 Athelstane 6
            SW.

0810 AM     Snow             Kronenwetter            44.83N 89.65W
04/03/2024  M4.2 Inch        Marathon           WI   Public

            Report relayed via WSAW-TV.

0500 AM     Snow             1 WNW Iola              44.50N 89.13W
04/03/2024  M4.1 Inch        Waupaca            WI   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station WI-WP-11 Iola 0.4 SSW.

0500 AM     Snow             1 S Pittsville          44.44N 90.13W
04/03/2024  M4.1 Inch        Wood               WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station PITW3 Pittsville -
            WWTP.

0600 AM     Snow             2 W Woodruff            45.90N 89.73W
04/03/2024  M4.1 Inch        Vilas              WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station AVTW3 Arbor
            Vitae-Johnson Lake.

0700 AM     Snow             3 SSE Amherst           44.41N 89.26W
04/03/2024  M4.1 Inch        Portage            WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station AMHW3 Amherst 3 SE.

0700 AM     Snow             1 E Oshkosh             44.01N 88.52W
04/03/2024  M4.1 Inch        Winnebago          WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station OSNW3 Oshkosh
            Southeast.

0615 PM     Snow             Oshkosh                 44.01N 88.55W
04/02/2024  M4.0 Inch        Winnebago          WI   Amateur Radio



0500 AM     Snow             1 NE Moon               44.77N 89.77W
04/03/2024  M4.0 Inch        Marathon           WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station EPTW3 Moon 1 E.

0700 AM     Snow             2 WSW Hancock           44.12N 89.54W
04/03/2024  M4.0 Inch        Waushara           WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station HANW3 Hancock 1.5 SW.

0700 AM     Snow             1 ENE Bradley           45.54N 89.73W
04/03/2024  M4.0 Inch        Lincoln            WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station TAKW3 Bradley 1.0 NE.

0745 AM     Snow             Rosholt                 44.63N 89.31W
04/03/2024  M3.9 Inch        Portage            WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station RSTW3 Rosholt.

1010 PM     Snow             Kronewetter             44.83N 89.65W
04/02/2024  M3.8 Inch        Marathon           WI   Public



0632 AM     Snow             3 SE De Pere            44.42N 88.01W
04/03/2024  M3.7 Inch        Brown              WI   Public



0357 AM     Snow             Wausau                  44.96N 89.63W
04/03/2024  M3.6 Inch        Marathon           WI   Broadcast Media

            3.1 inches reported through midnight, with
            another 0.5 inch between midnight and 4 am.
            Report courtesy of WSAW-TV Wausau.

0600 AM     Snow             Presque Isle            46.25N 89.73W
04/03/2024  M3.6 Inch        Vilas              WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station SUAW3 Presque Isle.

0555 PM     Snow             3 ESE Appleton          44.24N 88.34W
04/02/2024  M3.5 Inch        Calumet            WI   Cocorahs



0700 PM     Snow             7 W Merrill             45.18N 89.82W
04/02/2024  M3.5 Inch        Lincoln            WI   Cocorahs



0750 PM     Snow             Appleton                44.26N 88.40W
04/02/2024  M3.5 Inch        Outagamie          WI   Public



0815 PM     Snow             Allouez                 44.48N 88.02W
04/02/2024  M3.5 Inch        Brown              WI   Public



0800 PM     Snow             3 S Plover              44.41N 89.53W
04/02/2024  M3.4 Inch        Portage            WI   Trained Spotter



0700 AM     Snow             3 W Saint Nazianz       44.00N 87.96W
04/03/2024  M3.4 Inch        Manitowoc          WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station NAZW3 St. Nazianz 2
            W.

0546 PM     Snow             Wautoma                 44.08N 89.29W
04/02/2024  M3.3 Inch        Waushara           WI   Amateur Radio

            Moderate wet snowfall continuing.

0600 AM     Snow             1 N Clintonville        44.62N 88.75W
04/03/2024  M3.3 Inch        Waupaca            WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station CNTW3 Clintonville
            0.9 N.

0500 PM     Snow             Kronenwetter            44.83N 89.67W
04/02/2024  M3.0 Inch        Marathon           WI   Public

            Still snowing at the time of observation.
            Reported relayed via WSAW-TV.

0800 PM     Snow             Wausau                  44.96N 89.63W
04/02/2024  M3.0 Inch        Marathon           WI   Broadcast Media

            WSAW.

0800 AM     Snow             1 E Merrill             45.18N 89.66W
04/03/2024  M3.0 Inch        Lincoln            WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station RRLW3 0.9 E Merrill.

0730 AM     Snow             1 SW Spencer            44.75N 90.29W
04/03/2024  M2.8 Inch        Marathon           WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station SPCW3 Spencer - Wwtp.

0602 AM     Snow             2 NNW Stratford         44.82N 90.09W
04/03/2024  M2.6 Inch        Marathon           WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station STRW3 Stratford 1 NW.

0745 PM     Snow             4 E Green Bay           44.51N 87.92W
04/02/2024  M2.2 Inch        Brown              WI   NWS Employee



0710 AM     Snow             2 E Millhome            43.90N 87.91W
04/03/2024  M2.2 Inch        Manitowoc          WI   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station WI-MC-5 Millhome 2 E.

0400 PM     Snow             Sherwood                44.18N 88.25W
04/02/2024  M2.0 Inch        Calumet            WI   Public

            Still snowing at the time of the report.
            Report relayed via WBAY-TV.

0403 PM     Snow             Wautoma                 44.08N 89.30W
04/02/2024  M2.0 Inch        Waushara           WI   Amateur Radio

            Still snowing at the time of the
            observation.

0503 PM     Snow             3 ESE Appleton          44.25N 88.34W
04/02/2024  M2.0 Inch        Outagamie          WI   Cocorahs

            Heavy snow at the time of the observation.

0700 AM     Snow             3 S Bakerville          44.59N 90.20W
04/03/2024  M2.0 Inch        Wood               WI   Cocorahs

            Cocorahs station WI-WD-21 Marshfield 5.6
            SSW.

0730 AM     Snow             7 ENE Peshtigo          45.10N 87.62W
04/03/2024  M2.0 Inch        Marinette          WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station MRIW3 Menominee 1.6
            S.

0540 PM     Snow             Green Bay               44.50N 88.01W
04/02/2024  M1.8 Inch        Brown              WI   Broadcast Media

            Report from WFRV-TV.

0730 AM     Snow             1 NNW Hewitt            44.64N 90.13W
04/03/2024  M1.7 Inch        Wood               WI   CO-OP Observer

            CO-OP Observer station MFDW3 Hewitt 0.8 N.

0345 PM     Snow             Plover                  44.45N 89.53W
04/02/2024  M1.6 Inch        Portage            WI   CO-OP Observer

            Snowing at the time of the observation.

0700 PM     Snow             Marinette               45.10N 87.62W
04/02/2024  M1.5 Inch        Marinette          WI   Public



0741 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 SW Allouez            44.47N 88.02W
04/02/2024                   Brown              WI   Public

            Transformer and tree on fire, then
            transformer blew, causing power outage and
            large tree branch to fall into street.
            Picture via Facebook.

0810 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 NW Saint Nazianz      44.01N 87.92W
04/02/2024                   Manitowoc          WI   Public

            Power lines down.

0900 PM     Non-Tstm Wnd Dmg 1 N Appleton            44.27N 88.40W
04/02/2024                   Outagamie          WI   Public

            Some trees down and power out in parts of
            Appleton. Pictures from Facebook show one
            tree split in the middle and another shows a
            tree blocking the street.

Observations are collected from a variety of sources with varying
equipment and exposures. We thank all volunteer weather observers
for their dedication. Not all data listed are considered official.

Records Set

Green Bay

Daily Snowfall Record for April 2nd - 5.1" (Previous record was 3.7" in 1979)

Daily Precipitation Record for April 2nd - 0.96" (Previous record was 0.89" in 1977)

Photos

Photo Courtesy: Austin Kealey (Appleton)

Photo Courtesy: Dani Rae (Allouez)

Photo Courtesy: Rich Mamrosh (Green Bay)

Satellite Evolution

One of the key aspects of this winter storm that contributed to making the system stronger and allowing it to track further west than initial forecasts was the phasing of upper-level jet enegry from both the southern and northern air streams. In the GOES-16 mid-level water vapor animation (shown below), we can see this evolution evolve nicely. First, note the shortwave impulse (denoted by the white "X") that tracked from the northern Texas Panhandle, across Kansas, southeast Iowa, northern Illinois and eventually into northeast Wisconsin. This was the primary upper-level shortwave energy that contributed to focused and intense upward motion and the development of widespread precipitation over eastern Iowa, which subsequently expanded north across Wisconsin on Tuesday April 2. However, a second significant upper-level jet feature can also be observed dropping southward across North Dakota, Minnesota and eventually turning more easterly across Illinois. This northern stream jet energy was also very dyanmic in that it also generated strong upward motion. This enhanced upward motion resulted in scattered elevated convection and numerous lightning strickes (yellow oval). This northern stream energy was important to the evolution of the winter storm in that it helped to strengthen (deepen) the upper-level trough and further contributed to the rapid expansion of the precipitation as described earlier. The phasing of these two primary jet features over the Midwest by late on April 2 ultimately resulted in the rapid intensification of the surface low and a surface low track that was slower and further west than initial model forecasts of this system. Finally, note how the leading primary shortwave ("grey-colored "x") slowed down over Lake Michigan and eventually began to drift back to the west before rapidly weakening over central Wisconsin.

The second GOES-16 DCPD animation (below) is a close-up view of the primary shortwave disturbance that rapidly strengthened over southeast Wiscosnsin and central Lake Michigan. Note the tight cyclonic swirl in the clouds and the numerous light strikes that occurred immediately ahead of this feature. This animation illustrates the most intense phase of the winter storm.

GOES-16 Water Vapor Loop (above) showing evolution of the April 2-3 WInter Storm. The white "X"s denote primary upper-level features. Yellow arrows denote approximate axis of northern stream jet energy. Yellow oval denoted area of scattered elevated convection associated with norther stream jet energy. GOES-16 GLM lightning flashes are overlaid.

GOES-16 Day Cloud Phase Distinction (DCPD) Enhanced Imagery and GOES-16 Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) Flashes from 9 am - 10 pm April 2 (above). Present weather symbols are plotted in white.

Radar

The radar animation below encompasses the main phase of the winter storm as heavy precipitation broke out over eastern Iowa and southern Wiscosnin and rapidly expanded northward across Wisconsin. Note how the precipitation swirl lingered over Wisconsin as the upper-level system slowed down over the region. Mainly rain or a mixture of rain/snow was observed over much of the forecast area during day on Tuesday April 2, before changing over to heavy wet snow over most areas, except within a few miles of Lake Michigan where the relatively warmer waters kept near surface temperatures in the middle to upper 30s resulting in mainly rain.

Composite Radar loop from 2 am April 2 - 6 am April 3.

Percentage of electric customers without power at and just beyond the height of the storm, showing the worst power outages in far northeast Wisconsin. (Image Courtesy: PowerOutage.us)

Water levels rose above action stage on the southern bay at Green Bay (where the Fox River empties into the Bay) due to the strong north/northeast winds rushing down the Bay. The river rose above action stage the evening of April 2, peaking at 582.64 ft at 9:40 pm.

Graph shows the pressure fall at Milwaukee-Timmerman Field late in the evening on April 2 through the morning on April 3, indicating the presence of the strengthening storm. Date and time in GMT.

Peak Winds

...PEAK 24-HOUR WIND GUST REPORTS...


Location                     Speed     Time/Date       Lat/Lon/Elev (ft.)

...Wisconsin...

...Brown County...
Green Bay Airport            56 MPH    0756 PM 04/02   44.48N/88.13W/686
I-43 Se End Of Leo Frigo Bri 50 MPH    1109 PM 04/02   44.51N/88.04W/606
Green Bay 1 N                45 MPH    1118 PM 04/02   44.54N/88.00W
Green Bay                    41 MPH    0858 PM 04/02   44.58N/88.09W/656
Green Bay                    41 MPH    1045 PM 04/02   44.50N/88.01W/600
Wrightstown                  37 MPH    0749 PM 04/02   44.33N/88.17W/652
De Pere                      35 MPH    1110 PM 04/02   44.44N/88.05W/643
I43 Sb At Superior Ave - She 35 MPH    0300 AM 04/03   44.45N/87.77W/853

...Door County...
Chambers Island 1 NNW        46 MPH    0740 PM 04/02   45.20N/87.36W
Sturgeon Bay Airport         44 MPH    0504 PM 04/02   44.85N/87.42W/685
Ephraim                      39 MPH    0455 PM 04/02   45.13N/87.18W/747
Carlsville 4.1 SW (MAWN)     31 MPH    0740 PM 04/02   44.88N/87.33W/731
Egg Harbor 3.1 SE (MAWN)     31 MPH    0505 PM 04/02   45.01N/87.23W/728

...Kewaunee County...
Kewaunee MET, WI             50 MPH    0230 AM 04/03   44.47N/87.50W/583
Luxemburg 2.0 NE (MAWN)      31 MPH    1040 PM 04/02   44.56N/87.65W/714

...Langlade County...
Antigo Airport               39 MPH    0415 AM 04/03   45.15N/89.12W/1518
Antigo 2 ENE                 37 MPH    0305 AM 04/03   45.16N/89.11W/1499

...Lincoln County...
Merrill Airport              37 MPH    0455 AM 04/03   45.20N/89.72W/1310
Tomahawk Airport             30 MPH    0235 AM 04/03   45.47N/89.82W/1465

...Manitowoc County...
Two Creeks                   47 MPH    0150 AM 04/03   44.27N/87.55W/649
Manitowoc                    37 MPH    1205 AM 04/03   44.09N/87.66W/1991
Manitowoc Airport            37 MPH    0211 AM 04/03   44.12N/87.67W/618

...Marathon County...
Knowlton                     50 MPH    0134 AM 04/03   44.73N/89.70W/1128
Wausau Airport               39 MPH    0546 AM 04/03   44.93N/89.62W/1208
Marshfield                   39 MPH    0530 AM 04/03   44.76N/90.10W/1312
Mosinee Airport              38 MPH    0647 AM 04/03   44.78N/89.67W/1282
Moon 6 SW                    32 MPH    0505 AM 04/03   44.70N/89.87W/1149

...Marinette County...
Wausaukee 2 NW               34 MPH    0305 AM 04/03   45.39N/87.97W/763

...Oconto County...
Oconto Airport               39 MPH    0815 PM 04/02   44.87N/87.92W/602

...Oneida County...
Rhinelander Airport          39 MPH    0239 AM 04/03   45.63N/89.48W/1599
Tomahawk 3 W                 38 MPH    0210 AM 04/03   45.59N/89.72W/1535
Rhinelander                  32 MPH    0415 AM 04/03   45.65N/89.27W/1598

...Outagamie County...
Appleton Airport             41 MPH    1045 PM 04/02   44.27N/88.52W/888
Appleton                     32 MPH    0807 PM 04/02   44.29N/88.46W/830

...Portage County...
Stevens Point Airport        32 MPH    0615 AM 04/03   44.55N/89.53W/1106
Plover                       31 MPH    1147 PM 04/02   44.44N/89.55W/1082

...Shawano County...
Shawano Airport              40 MPH    0315 AM 04/03   44.78N/88.57W/814

...Vilas County...
Arbor Vitae Airport          38 MPH    0535 AM 04/03   45.93N/89.73W/1620
Manitowish Waters Airport    37 MPH    0635 AM 04/03   46.12N/89.88W/1606
Eagle River Airport          33 MPH    0235 AM 04/03   45.93N/89.27W/1641
Land O Lakes                 32 MPH    0135 AM 04/03   46.15N/89.22W/1694
Phelps 2 SW                  30 MPH    0602 AM 04/03   46.04N/89.10W/1770

...Waupaca County...
Clintonville Airport         33 MPH    1115 PM 04/02   44.62N/88.73W/816

...Waushara County...
Wautoma Airport              31 MPH    0707 PM 04/02   44.03N/89.30W/855

...Winnebago County...
Oshkosh Airport              46 MPH    0730 PM 04/02   43.97N/88.55W/794

...Wood County...
Marshfield Airport           45 MPH    0112 AM 04/03   44.63N/90.18W/1241
Wisconsin Rapids Airport     40 MPH    0902 PM 04/02   44.37N/89.83W/1020

...Maritime Stations...
Chambers Island              46 MPH    1020 PM 04/02   45.20N/87.36W/565
Gills Rock 1 ENE             41 MPH    0400 PM 04/02   45.29N/86.98W

Observations are collected from a variety of sources with varying
equipment and exposures. We thank all volunteer weather observers
for their dedication. Not all data listed are considered official.

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