Southeastern Wisconsin is under a Winter Weather Advisory from noon Thursday through noon Friday as a clipper system is expected to bring snow accumulations between 3 and 5 inches to the Milwaukee area.

Thursday’s heaviest snowfall is expected to begin in the early afternoon in Milwaukee and continue through the Friday morning commute hours, said Milwaukee-Sullivan National Weather Service meteorologist JJ Wood.

Areas north of Milwaukee, including Sheboygan County, should see heavier snow begin around 9 a.m., while areas south ― like Racine and Kenosha counties ― likely won’t see heavy snowfall until the afternoon, Wood said. Across southern Wisconsin, lighter snow is possible in the morning, potentially “dusting” the roads for the Thursday morning commute.

Higher snow accumulation totals are expected north of Milwaukee, while lower totals are forecasted further south, Wood said.

“Toward the Sheboygan area, Fond du Lac, they could see anywhere from four to seven inches. Sheboygan could see a little bit more than that because there could be some lake enhancement and lake effect snow,” he explained. “Really, any areas near the lake could see lake enhancement and lake effect snow, especially as we get into tonight and tomorrow morning.”

Meanwhile, Racine and Kenosha counties are likely to see 2 to 4 inches of snow accumulation, Wood continued. Areas closest to Lake Michigan, including the city of Milwaukee, could see higher snow totals Friday morning due to lake enhancement, he added.

The weather service urges drivers to use caution while commuting during the Winter Weather Advisory. Wood said people can expect the Thursday evening commute to be impacted everywhere in southern Wisconsin, and areas close to Lake Michigan should plan for impacts to the Friday morning commute, as well.

“We’re going to expect snow-covered, slippery roads,” he said. “Slow down travel, and certainly give yourself extra time to get to your destination. Expect … reduced visibility at times.”

Central Wisconsin is under a Winter Storm Warning

Much of central Wisconsin ― including the Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, Wausau, Eau Claire and Door County areas ― is under a Winter Storm Warning through Friday morning.

“A clipper-type system will bring the first widespread accumulating snow to the region from this morning through early Friday morning,” NWS said on Thursday morning. “A band of 5 to 8 inches is expected from central to northeast Wisconsin during this time frame. Higher amounts of 7 to 10 inches are forecast near Lake Michigan where lake enhancement is expected. Lesser snowfall amounts will occur over north-central Wisconsin.”

The weather service encourages people not to drive during the Winter Storm Warning but says, if you must drive, “keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.” Drivers should visit 511wi.gov for road conditions.

A Village of Pewaukee plow truck clears a parking lot on Friday morning, March 22, 2024, after a spring storm delivered three to seven inches of snow across the area.

What is a clipper system?

A clipper system is a low-pressure system primarily driven by cold air, weather service meteorologist Michaela Heeren said. It’s a “bit of a quicker-hitting system” and brings “lighter, fluffier snow.”

As often happens, a cold front will follow this week’s clipper system, she continued. Low temperatures in the teens are in the forecast Friday night through Saturday, with single-digit windchills Saturday morning.

The sun peeks through snow covered Christmas lights in Bayside on Monday, Feb. 10, 2020. The area received 3-6 inches of fresh snow after Sunday’s snowstorm. Photo by Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Will there be snow on Christmas in Milwaukee?

This week’s snow accumulations are likely to stick around through the weekend, Wood said. The Milwaukee area may see another round of light snow, or a rain-snow mix, on Monday, but the forecast is not yet certain, he continued.

“As we get toward Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we’re going to warm up a little bit ― like mid-to-upper 30s on Christmas Eve and maybe 40-ish on Christmas Day,” Wood said. “So, anything that’s on the ground at that time may melt. I’m not sure at this time, it depends on how much we get today and if we get anything extra on Monday.”

Wisconsin weather warnings

Wisconsin weather radar

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 3 to 5 inches of snow expected in Milwaukee, under Winter Weather Advisory