February 4-5, 2021 Winter Storm Summary

Overview

A fast-moving, intense winter storm brought icy conditions, heavy snow, and gusty winds to central and northeastern Wisconsin Thursday through Friday morning.

This event generally occurred in three phases- with the first phase starting Thursday morning. During the Thursday morning phase, several locations in central Wisconsin, especially from Wausau to Wisconsin Rapids to Appleton, reported a few hundredths of an inch of ice accumulation. This ice accumulation helped lead to slippery roads and traffic accidents across the area.

The transition to the second phase of this event- the heavy snow phase- began during the Thursday afternoon hours. Shortly after noon, precipitation made it into the Fox Valley region, and with colder temperatures wrapping in, the precipitation type changed from freezing rain/sleet to all snow. The heavy snow continued through the evening hours across all of central through northeastern Wisconsin. Snowfall totals were the highest in northern Wisconsin, where amounts generally were in the 7 to 11 inch range. For the Fox Valley region, snowfall totals were generally 4 to 7 inches around Lake Winnebago and the Green Bay metro. Southeast of the Fox Valley, snowfall totals were a little less- topping out closer to the 2 to 5 inch range- as dry air delayed the arrival of the snow by several hours.

As snow tapered off early Thursday night, strong winds overspread the area. Winds gusted in the 25 to 40 mph range across central to northeastern Wisconsin. These winds led to blowing and drifting of snow back onto some roadways, which kept some roads snow-covered and slippery through the Friday morning hours.

See the tabs below for more information.

Note: Estimated snow amounts.

Snowfall Reports
Event Summary / Radar & Satellite
Wind Reports

Snowfall Reports

...FEBRUARY 4-5 SNOWFALL REPORTS...

LOCATION                     AMOUNT    TIME/DATE       LAT/LON              

...WISCONSIN...

...BROWN COUNTY...
FLINTVILLE 3.4 S             7.9 IN    0600 AM 02/05   44.60N/88.10W        
GREEN BAY BOTANICAL GARDEN   7.0 IN    0800 AM 02/05   44.53N/88.10W 
NWS GREEN BAY                6.7 IN    0600 AM 02/05   44.50N/88.11W      

...CALUMET COUNTY...
DARBOY 3 SE                  5.2 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.20N/88.33W        
CHILTON 0.5 E                4.0 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.03N/88.15W        
BRILLION                     3.2 IN    0630 AM 02/05   44.18N/88.07W        

...DOOR COUNTY...
EPHRAIM 1 NE - WWTP          7.0 IN    0740 AM 02/05   45.17N/87.15W        
SISTER BAY 1 N               6.0 IN    0700 AM 02/05   45.20N/87.11W        
WASHINGTON ISLAND            5.8 IN    0700 AM 02/05   45.36N/86.89W        
ELLISON BAY 1 ENE            5.5 IN    0700 AM 02/05   45.26N/87.03W        
FISH CREEK 1 E WWTP          5.0 IN    0730 AM 02/05   45.12N/87.23W        
FISH CREEK 3 S - JUDDVILLE   4.5 IN    0800 AM 02/05   45.09N/87.26W        
BAILEYS HARBOR 3 ENE         4.0 IN    0700 AM 02/05   45.09N/87.07W        
FORESTVILLE 4 E              2.5 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.70N/87.40W        

...FLORENCE COUNTY...
FLORENCE                     8.4 IN    0700 AM 02/05   45.93N/88.26W        
SPREAD EAGLE 1 NW            6.0 IN    0700 AM 02/05   45.89N/88.14W        

...FOREST COUNTY...
ARGONNE 1.5 NW               10.8 IN   0742 AM 02/05   45.67N/88.90W        

...KEWAUNEE COUNTY...
KEWAUNEE                     5.0 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.46N/87.50W        
CASCO 0.4 NNW                4.9 IN    0710 AM 02/05   44.56N/87.62W        

...LANGLADE COUNTY...
WHITE LAKE 1.4 SE            8.1 IN    0800 AM 02/05   45.15N/88.74W        
ANTIGO 1 SSW                 8.0 IN    0800 AM 02/05   45.13N/89.15W        
SUMMIT LAKE                  8.0 IN    0500 AM 02/05   45.38N/89.19W        

...LINCOLN COUNTY...
TOMAHAWK 1.2 SSW             10.0 IN   0700 AM 02/05   45.46N/89.73W        
BRADLEY 1.0 NE               9.2 IN    0700 AM 02/05   45.54N/89.73W        
TOMAHAWK 4.6 N               8.1 IN    0700 AM 02/05   45.54N/89.71W        
MERRILL 8 W                  7.8 IN    0600 AM 02/05   45.18N/89.85W        
MERRILL 7 W                  7.8 IN    0600 AM 02/05   45.18N/89.85W        

...MANITOWOC COUNTY...
ST. NAZIANZ 2 W              4.4 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.00N/87.96W        
SHOTO 1 NW                   3.0 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.17N/87.67W        
TWO RIVERS                   2.5 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.14N/87.57W        
MILLHOME 2 E                 2.5 IN    0701 AM 02/05   43.90N/87.91W        
TWO RIVERS 4.1 WNW           2.3 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.19N/87.65W        
TWO RIVERS 2 NW              2.2 IN    0431 AM 02/05   44.18N/87.58W        
TWO RIVERS 0.9 SE            1.5 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.15N/87.57W        
MISHICOT 0.1 NNW             1.5 IN    0800 AM 02/05   44.23N/87.64W        

...MARATHON COUNTY...
WAUSAU WSAW TV               8.1 IN    0245 AM 02/05   44.95N/89.62W        
WESTON 1 NE                  7.9 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.92N/89.54W   
MOSINEE 2 W                  7.8 IN    0500 AM 02/05   44.77N/89.73W        
WAUSAU 1 ENE                 7.7 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.97N/89.61W        
STRATFORD 1 NW               7.1 IN    0546 AM 02/05   44.82N/90.09W        
MOON 1 E                     6.8 IN    0500 AM 02/05   44.77N/89.77W        
SPENCER - WWTP               6.8 IN    0730 AM 02/05   44.75N/90.29W        
EVERGREEN 1.5 WSW            6.6 IN    0630 AM 02/05   44.84N/89.67W        
DANCY 1 NNW                  5.2 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.70N/89.70W        

...MARINETTE COUNTY...
ATHELSTANE 1.6 E             8.0 IN    0600 AM 02/05   45.42N/88.06W        
WAUSAUKEE 1.6 NW             8.0 IN    0800 AM 02/05   45.38N/87.96W        
AMBERG 9 E                   7.5 IN    0641 AM 02/05   45.48N/87.81W        
ATHELSTANE 6 SW              6.5 IN    0700 AM 02/05   45.36N/88.19W        
MARINETTE - WPS              5.2 IN    0645 AM 02/05   45.24N/88.01W        

...OCONTO COUNTY...
STILES 1 S                   7.1 IN    0730 AM 02/05   44.84N/88.05W        
SURING                       7.0 IN    0900 AM 02/05   45.00N/88.38W        
PULASKI - WWTP               6.5 IN    0600 AM 02/05   44.68N/88.23W        
MOUNTAIN 0.9 E               5.5 IN    0700 AM 02/05   45.18N/88.46W        

...ONEIDA COUNTY...
RHINELANDER WJFW-TV          11.1 IN   0245 AM 02/05   45.63N/89.41W
MINOCQUA                     10.2 IN   0630 AM 02/05   45.89N/89.73W        
RHINELANDER 5 N              9.2 IN    0800 AM 02/05   45.71N/89.42W        
RHINELANDER 4 NE             9.0 IN    0600 AM 02/05   45.65N/89.31W        
RHINELANDER 2 SW             8.5 IN    0730 AM 02/05   45.60N/89.45W        
WILLOW                       8.5 IN    0600 AM 02/05   45.70N/89.83W        
HAZELHURST 2.1 SSE           8.5 IN    0700 AM 02/05   45.78N/89.70W        

...OUTAGAMIE COUNTY...
NEW LONDON 4.1 N             7.5 IN    0600 AM 02/05   44.45N/88.73W        
APPLETON                     6.9 IN    0500 AM 02/05   44.28N/88.44W        
APPLETON 1 N                 6.7 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.29N/88.39W        
NEW LONDON 2 SE              6.5 IN    0630 AM 02/05   44.36N/88.72W        
KAUKAUNA 1 W                 5.4 IN    0400 AM 02/05   44.26N/88.29W        

...PORTAGE COUNTY...
ROSHOLT                      8.0 IN    0734 AM 02/05   44.63N/89.31W        
STEVENS POINT                7.9 IN    0730 AM 02/05   44.51N/89.59W        
AMHERST 3 SE                 7.2 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.41N/89.26W        
ALMOND 5 NE                  6.5 IN    0800 AM 02/05   44.31N/89.35W        
PLOVER 2 E                   6.5 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.46N/89.50W        
RUDOLPH 1 NNE                5.7 IN    0500 AM 02/05   44.53N/89.79W        

...SHAWANO COUNTY...
PELLA 3 SE                   7.5 IN    0530 AM 02/05   44.74N/88.74W        
SHAWANO 2 SSW                7.5 IN    0800 AM 02/05   44.76N/88.62W        
STOCKBRIDGE-MUNSEE RESERVATI 7.3 IN    0830 AM 02/05   44.87N/88.90W        
CECIL 5.6 ENE                6.9 IN    0800 AM 02/05   44.85N/88.35W        
SPLIT ROCK 1 NNW             6.5 IN    0800 AM 02/05   44.72N/89.02W        
PULASKI 3.7 W                6.5 IN    0730 AM 02/05   44.67N/88.31W        
BONDUEL 3.3 NW               6.5 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.78N/88.49W        

...VILAS COUNTY...
PHELPS 4.2 N                 12.0 IN   0900 AM 02/05   46.12N/89.08W        
EAGLE RIVER - SOUTH          11.0 IN   0659 AM 02/05   45.91N/89.24W        
BOULDER JUNCTION 9 ENE       10.9 IN   0722 AM 02/05   46.19N/89.46W        
PHELPS                       10.0 IN   0700 AM 02/05   46.07N/89.08W        
BOULDER JUNCTION 1.4 NE      8.9 IN    0700 AM 02/05   46.13N/89.62W        
ARBOR VITAE-JOHNSON LAKE     8.5 IN    0605 AM 02/05   45.90N/89.73W        
ST GERMAIN 0.6 NW            8.5 IN    0600 AM 02/05   45.92N/89.49W        

...WAUPACA COUNTY...
CLINTONVILLE 0.9 N           8.1 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.62N/88.75W        
WAUPACA 1 E                  7.1 IN    0600 AM 02/05   44.35N/89.06W        
NEW LONDON - WWTP            7.0 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.39N/88.75W        

...WAUSHARA COUNTY...
WILD ROSE 0.5 E              8.2 IN    0627 AM 02/05   44.18N/89.24W        
BERLIN WWTP                  7.0 IN    0700 AM 02/05   43.99N/88.94W        
HANCOCK 1.5 SW               6.6 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.12N/89.54W        

...WINNEBAGO COUNTY...
WINNEBAGO 3 NW               7.0 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.09N/88.55W        
NEENAH 1.1 ENE               7.0 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.17N/88.45W        
ZITTAU                       6.2 IN    0600 AM 02/05   44.22N/88.78W        
OSHKOSH                      5.5 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.03N/88.56W        
OSHKOSH 1.8 N                5.0 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.03N/88.54W        
OSHKOSH 2.0 W                5.0 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.02N/88.59W        
OSHKOSH 1.6 ESE              5.0 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.01N/88.52W        
OMRO 1 WSW                   4.7 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.02N/88.78W        

...WOOD COUNTY...
PITTSVILLE - WWTP            8.0 IN    0700 AM 02/05   44.44N/90.13W        
PORT EDWARDS 2 E             7.1 IN    0830 AM 02/05   44.34N/89.78W        
HEWITT 0.8 N                 6.0 IN    0730 AM 02/05   44.64N/90.13W        

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.

Event Summary / Radar & Satellite:

Here is a look at the radar loop .

	WSR-88D Doppler Radar Mosaic from 8 am to 10 pm February 4th The axis of heaviest snow extended from northeast Iowa, northcentral Wisconsin into central Upper Michigan generally northwest of the surface low track. To the southeast of the surface low track, the precipitation started out in the form of rain or freezing rain, and then quickly changed over to light snow as arctic air rapidly ushered in behind the departing surface low pressure system.
	GOES-16 Low-Level Water Vapor Satellite. The animation reveals rapid development of the winter storm over the western Great Lakes region between 6 am Thursday February 4th through 6 am Friday February 5th. The black arrow denotes the location of the axis of strong mid-level winds (shown on the 500 mb a few images below). The white circled area denotes the potent upper-level disturbance diving southeast toward Wisconsin. These energetic features acted in concert to strengthen the winter storm. Note the development of the swirling counterclockwise cloud feature that develops over southern Wisconsin and moves rapidly northeast into Lower Michigan by the end of the animation. This feature is associated with the rapidly deepening surface low pressure system.
	Estimated maximum surface wind gusts (mph) derived from the HRRR model. The darker yellow to orange shades, denote the areas of strongest wind gusts. The strongest observed wind gusts were reported over east-central Wisconsin just to the southwest of the departing surface low pressure center. See the wind tab for peak wind reports from across the area.
	RAP Mean Sea Level Pressure Analysis (mb) from 6 pm Wednesday February 3 through 6 am February 5th. Surface wind barbs are also plotted (light brown). Note the rapid deepening of the surface low (denoted by the red L) as it moved northeast across eastern Wisconsin Thursday night into early Friday. As the surface low deepened, the pressure gradient southwest of the surface low center strengthened (the isobars get more packed together). This led to the rapidly increasing westerly winds across the forecast area in the wake of the surface low.
	RAP Analysis 500 MB Height (Meters - black contours), Wind Speed (Knots - blue shading) and Temperature (Degrees C – red dashed). Valid 6 pm February 3rd to 6 am February 5th. Upper-level shortwave trough moved east across the northern Plains and deepened rapidly as it entered the western Great Lakes. Note the core of strong winds (90 – 100 kts) near the base of the trough moving across the central Mississippi Valley. These features contributed to organized upper-level vertical motion over Wisconsin which contributed to rapid deepening of the surface low on Thursday evening February 4th.

Wind Reports:

Here is a look at the highest wind gusts reported during the winter storm. 
The winds create minor blowing and drifting snow across much of the area.

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GREEN BAY WI
750 AM CST FRI FEB 5 2021

...HIGHEST WIND REPORTS...

LOCATION                     SPEED     TIME/DATE       LAT/LON          
--------------------------------------------------------------------    
MANITOWOC AIRPORT            41 MPH    1256 AM 02/05   44.12N/87.67W        
GREEN BAY AIRPORT            40 MPH    0153 AM 02/05   44.48N/88.13W        
MARSHFIELD AIRPORT           40 MPH    0854 PM 02/04   44.63N/90.18W        
OSHKOSH AIRPORT              40 MPH    1053 PM 02/04   43.97N/88.55W      
WISCONSIN RAPIDS AIRPORT     39 MPH    0654 PM 02/04   44.37N/89.83W        
WITTMAN REGIONAL AIRPORT     39 MPH    1153 PM 02/04   43.97N/88.56W        
WAUTOMA AIRPORT              39 MPH    0956 PM 02/04   44.03N/89.30W        
WAUSAU AIRPORT               37 MPH    0354 AM 02/05   44.93N/89.62W        
STURGEON BAY AIRPORT         37 MPH    1156 PM 02/04   44.85N/87.42W        
MENOMINEE                    37 MPH    1124 PM 02/04   45.10N/87.59W        
MOSINEE AIRPORT              35 MPH    0847 PM 02/04   44.78N/89.67W        
EPHRAIM                      33 MPH    1155 PM 02/04   45.13N/87.18W        
STEVENS POINT AIRPORT        33 MPH    0335 AM 02/05   44.55N/89.53W        
ST NAZIANZ                   32 MPH    1135 PM 02/04   44.01N/87.89W        
APPLETON AIRPORT             32 MPH    0545 AM 02/05   44.27N/88.52W        
RHINELANDER AIRPORT          31 MPH    0953 PM 02/04   45.63N/89.48W        
ANTIGO 2 ENE                 29 MPH    1005 PM 02/04   45.16N/89.11W        
OMRO                         29 MPH    1201 AM 02/05   44.07N/88.69W        
MERRILL AIRPORT              29 MPH    0355 AM 02/05   45.20N/89.72W        
MANITOWOC                    28 MPH    1050 PM 02/04   44.09N/87.66W        
WAUPACA                      28 MPH    0335 AM 02/05   44.33N/89.02W        
WABENO 2 NNW                 28 MPH    1001 PM 02/04   45.46N/88.68W        
WAUTOMA 1 WSW                28 MPH    0112 AM 02/05   44.06N/89.29W        
TWO CREEKS                   27 MPH    1120 PM 02/04   44.27N/87.55W        
KESHENA 2 WNW                27 MPH    0105 AM 02/05   44.89N/88.66W        
WASHINGTON ISLAND            26 MPH    0435 AM 02/05   45.38N/86.92W        
MANITOWISH WATERS AIRPORT    26 MPH    0115 AM 02/05   46.12N/89.88W        
SHAWANO AIRPORT              26 MPH    1135 PM 02/04   44.78N/88.57W        
WASHINGTON ISLAND 1 WSW      26 MPH    1225 AM 02/05   45.36N/86.93W        
CLINTONVILLE AIRPORT         25 MPH    0415 AM 02/05   44.62N/88.73W        
EAGLE RIVER AIRPORT          25 MPH    0955 PM 02/04   45.93N/89.27W        


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.

Media use of NWS Web News Stories is encouraged!
Please acknowledge the NWS as the source of any news information accessed from this site.

The Work Week will Begin with Unsettled Weather from the Southern Plains to the Great Lakes

February 4-5, 2021 Winter Storm Summary