Second Winter Storm to Impact Sheboygan County on Friday

Snowfall Forecast and Timing

Another winter storm is expected to hit Sheboygan County on Friday (Feb 14), marking the second significant snowfall this week. Forecasts indicate that snow will begin late Friday morning or early afternoon, then intensify through the afternoon and evening​. The heaviest snowfall is anticipated from Friday afternoon into Friday night, with snow possibly continuing into the early hours of Saturday before tapering off​ .

• Start: Light snow may start by late Friday morning, with only minor accumulation at first​.
• Peak: Snowfall rates will increase by Friday afternoon. Heavy snow is likely Friday late-day and evening​, and snow “could be heavy at times” Friday night according to the National Weather Service During this peak, rapid accumulation is expected.
• End: Snow will continue overnight and should wind down early Saturday, with lingering light snow possible into Saturday morning​.

Overall snowfall totals in Sheboygan County from this storm are projected to be in the moderate range. The National Weather Service forecast suggests about 3 to 7 inches of new snow by the time the storm ends​. Similarly, AccuWeather estimates roughly 3–6 inches for the Sheboygan area​. Local forecasters earlier in the week even noted this could be a “repeat event” of Wednesday’s half-foot snowfall​.

Residents should be prepared for around half a foot of snow, with exact amounts depending on the storm’s track and any lake-enhancement.

Wind Conditions and Visibility

This storm will be accompanied by moderate winds, which could create blowing snow and poor visibility. Current forecasts call for northeasterly winds around 10 to 15 mph on Friday, with occasional stronger gusts possible​. While these winds are not extreme, they are enough to cause drifting snow and blowing snow in open areas.

• Winds: Expect northeast winds in the 10–15 mph range, potentially gusting over 20 mph at times. As the storm moves through, winds may shift north by Friday night into Saturday, around 10–15 mph​.
• Blowing Snow: The combination of fresh, powdery snow and these winds means blowing and drifting snow are likely, especially in rural and open areas. Snow may blow back onto recently plowed roads. Drivers could encounter drifted snow on east-west roads due to the steady northeast wind.
• Visibility: During periods of heavy snowfall, visibility could drop significantly. Meteorologists are warning that travel may become very poor with low visibility during the height of the storm. In fact, near-whiteout conditions are possible at times Friday afternoon and night when the snow is falling fastest. Even if winds aren’t at blizzard levels, the intensity of the snowfall can briefly reduce visibility to a few hundred feet or less.

Road Conditions and Travel Advisories

Road conditions are expected to deteriorate quickly once the snow begins on Friday. With temperatures in the 20s°F, the snow will stick to roads and accumulate. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation and local authorities are advising that travel will likely be hazardous during the storm​. Drivers should plan ahead and avoid unnecessary trips from Friday afternoon through Friday night. If you do travel, prepare for a slow, difficult commute:

• Snow-Covered Roads: Roads will become snow-packed and slippery as the storm progresses. Even with road crews out in force, heavy snowfall rates can lead to snow accumulation on highways and side streets. By Friday evening, expect many roads in Sheboygan County to be snow-covered. Intersections and untreated surfaces will be icy.
• Low Visibility: Blowing snow and the heavy snowfall will cause poor visibility on the roads​. Motorists could encounter sudden whiteout-like conditions, especially in open areas or near the lakeshore where winds might be stronger. This makes it hard to see traffic ahead and plow trucks, so extreme caution is urged.
• Travel Advisories: Officials may issue formal travel advisories if conditions get bad. In some severe cases, law enforcement has issued “no travel” advisories in Sheboygan County (for example, during past blizzards when drifts reached several feet)​. While such extreme conditions may or may not occur Friday, be alert for any advisories on local news. The phrase “if you don’t have to drive, don’t” certainly applies.
• Snow Emergencies: Some communities in the region declare snow emergencies during major storms. These typically restrict street parking to help plows clear snow. As of Wednesday night, no snow emergency had been declared yet in Sheboygan, but nearby Manitowoc County did so during the last storm. The City of Sheboygan can declare one if needed (for example, one was announced in a January storm)​. Residents should be prepared to move vehicles off city streets if a snow emergency is announced for Friday.

If you must travel, allow plenty of extra time, drive slowly, and keep a significant distance from the car ahead. Highways like I-43 and local routes could see slow-going traffic and periodic closures or accidents if conditions worsen. Stay tuned to 511 Wisconsin (the state road conditions service) for real-time updates on highway conditions and any crash reports or closures. Plow crews will be working through the storm, but road conditions may remain poor until the snow lets up.

School, Business, and Public Service Closures

With the storm arriving on Friday, schools, businesses, and public services are making contingency plans. As of now (Wednesday), there are no official closure announcements for Friday, but many organizations are in “wait-and-see” mode depending on the forecast confidence. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Schools: Area school districts will monitor the storm’s timing to decide on Friday classes. Many schools in southeastern Wisconsin closed or switched to virtual learning during Wednesday’s storm, and a similar approach could be taken Friday if heavy snow coincides with the school day. The Sheboygan Area School District (SASD) has a policy that the first snow day is a traditional day off, and any additional snow days become virtual learning days​. This means if Wednesday was already used as a snow day, Friday’s cancellation (if it happens) could be an online instruction day. Parents should look for alerts from the school district on Thursday night or early Friday morning regarding any closures or early dismissals. SASD posts closures on their homepage and via an automated phone line (920-803-SNOW)​ – it’s wise to check those sources for the latest updates.
• Businesses: Many businesses, especially offices and retail stores, may choose to close early on Friday or have employees work from home if road conditions worsen. Large employers in the area often announce weather-related closures in advance; listen for any announcements on local radio or social media. If you have an appointment or plans on Friday, consider calling ahead to confirm if the business will be open.
• Public Services: City and county offices will also be keeping an eye on conditions. Non-essential government services (like public libraries, parks, or administrative offices) might reduce hours on Friday if travel becomes dangerous. For example, evening events or meetings scheduled for Friday could be postponed. Public transportation (such as Shoreline Metro buses) may run on schedule initially, but expect possible delays or route adjustments if the snow becomes heavy. Essential services like police, fire, and hospitals will remain operational, though they too are prepping for slower response times. Trash pickup and mail delivery on Friday could be delayed until roads are cleared, depending on how the storm evolves.

In short, anyone with plans on Friday should stay flexible. Keep an eye on announcements from schools, employers, and local officials on Thursday night and Friday morning. Local news outlets (TV, radio, and their websites) will be compiling closure lists – those will be a key resource to check at the start of the day.

Emergency Services and Safety Advisories for Residents

Local emergency management and public safety officials are urging preparedness and caution as this storm approaches. ReadyWisconsin, the state’s emergency preparedness campaign, has issued winter storm safety tips, and Sheboygan County authorities echo similar advice. Here are some important advisories for residents to stay safe during the storm:

• Avoid Unnecessary Travel: The best way to stay safe in a winter storm is to stay off the roads during the worst of it. If possible, adjust plans to remain at home Friday afternoon and night. This not only keeps you out of harm’s way but also allows snow plow crews and emergency vehicles to do their jobs more effectively on less crowded roads.
• Prepare Your Vehicle: If you must drive, make sure your car is winter-ready. Fill up the gas tank and stock an emergency kit with essentials like blankets, warm clothes, flashlight and batteries, snacks, water, and a phone charger. Let someone know your travel plans and expected arrival time. Importantly, if you get stranded or stuck, stay with your vehicle – do not wander out into the storm on foot​. Your car provides shelter, and leaving it can be disorienting in low visibility. Run the engine occasionally to stay warm, but clear the exhaust pipe of snow and crack a window for ventilation.
• Home Preparations: Before the storm hits, check that you have everything you need at home. Charge cell phones and devices ahead of time in case of power outages. Have flashlights and fresh batteries ready. Gather extra blankets and ensure your heating system is in good working order. It’s a good idea to have a few days’ supply of food, water, and any needed medications on hand so you don’t have to venture out. (Given the forecast, widespread power outages are not highly likely, but it’s good to be prepared in winter weather.) If you use a generator or space heater at any point, use them safely: generators should be run outside only, and space heaters should be kept away from flammable items and not left unattended.
• Check on Neighbors and Vulnerable Individuals: Community safety is important during extreme weather. Wisconsin public health officials recommend checking on neighbors, the elderly, or anyone with special needs during winter storms. Make sure they are warm and have supplies. Also ensure outdoor pets have shelter or are brought inside, and take steps to protect any livestock from the cold and snow.
• Emergency Services: Rest assured, emergency services will be on duty throughout the storm. 911 should be reserved for real emergencies, but don’t hesitate to call if you have one – just be aware that response times may be longer than usual if roads are treacherous. Fire and ambulance crews might have to navigate snow-clogged streets, so plan accordingly (for instance, if a situation is not life-threatening, consider waiting until roads are better before seeking help, or use non-emergency police lines for guidance). For non-emergencies like power outages, use the utility company’s outage report line instead of 911. Keep a phone charged and nearby overnight in case you need to call for help.

Finally, stay informed throughout the event. Listen for emergency alerts on your phone or local media. Sheboygan County officials will issue any critical updates (such as evacuation notices or shelter information, if it ever came to that – unlikely for a snowstorm, but important to monitor in case of extreme developments). By preparing now and heeding these advisories, residents can ride out the Friday storm as safely as possible.

Sources: National Weather Service forecasts​

forecast.weather.gov; AccuWeather forecast for Sheboygan​

accuweather.com; local news reports (WHBL/WSGW)​

b93radio.com; Fox6 Milwaukee weather updates​

fox6now.com; TMJ4 Milwaukee forecast discussion​

tmj4.com; CBS58 weather news​

cbs58.com; City of Sheboygan winter weather ordinances​

sheboygandpw.com; Sheboygan Area School District advisories​

sheboygan.k12.wi.us​

sheboygan.k12.wi.us; ReadyWisconsin (WI Emergency Management) winter storm safety tips​

wem.wi.gov; Wisconsin DHS winter weather health guidance​

dhs.wisconsin.gov.