Where Do Winter Storms Develop?
Storms that affect Wisconsin develop over southeast Colorado, northwest Canada, and over the southern Plains. These storms move toward the Midwest and use both the southward plunge of cold air from Canada and the northward flow of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico to produce heavy snow over the region. “Alberta Clippers,” which develop in the lee of the Canadian Rockies and move southeast toward Wisconsin, not only bring accumulating snow, but also strong winds and extremely cold air to the state. “Lake effect” snowstorms develop as cold air moves across the relatively warmer waters of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. Moisture from the lakes is then deposited as heavy snow within several miles of the shore. Winter Storms in Wisconsin Date Location Character Remarks 1 Mar 2-4, 1881 South & Central Blizzard 2 – 4 ft snow, 20 ft drifts 2 Jan 15, 1887 South & Central Snowstorm 2 ft snow, huge drifts 3 Dec 27-28, 1904 South & Central Heavy snow/ice 26″ Neillsville – 24 hr state record 4 Feb
