The 2nd major winter storm in the 2008-09 winter season affected most of south-central and southeast Wisconsin with heavy snows, sleet, freezing rain, and blowing snow. The area of greatest snow accumulations extended from Sauk County east-northeast through Fond du Lac and Sheboygan Counties where 8 to 12 inches were measured.  Snow amounts tapered off to 2 to 4 inches near the Illinois border where there was more freezing rain.  Ice accumulations were on the order of 1/10 to 2/10 of an inch near the Illinois border.  Freezing rain and sleet amounts were minimal north of a Madison to Milwaukee line.  A spotter 5 miles southwest of the Madison State Capital noted that the snow started as if someone turned on a facet!  Specific snow amounts include 12 inches in Pardeeville (Columbia Co.); 11.2 inches in Sheboygan (Sheboygan Co.); 11 inches in Wisconsin Dells (Columbia Co.) and Baraboo (Sauk Co.); 10.5 inches in Alleton (Washington Co.); around 10 inches in Marquette County; 9.5 inches in Fond du Lac (Fond du Lac Co.) and Berlin (Green Lake Co.); 9 inches in Beaver Dam (Dodge Co.) and northwest Ozaukee County; 7.5 inches in Lake Mills (Jefferson Co.); 7.1 inches in Middleton (Dane Co.); an estimated 7 inches in extreme northern Waukesha County; and an estimated 6 inches in northwestern Milwaukee County, southeastern Iowa County, northeastern Lafayette County, northern Green County, and northwestern Rock County.
An accident involving a semi tractor-trailer on Interstate 39/90 near Beloit (Rock Co.) backed up traffic for about 3 miles in the eastbound (south) lanes for about 45 minutes.  An alternative route was established by the State Patrol.  Another accident involving a semi tractor-trailer blocked traffic on STH 41 and CTH N about 8 miles northwest of the city of Fond du Lac.   Traffic was detoured for about an hour.  Otherwise dozens of vehicle runoffs or accidents were reported by the media, and commute times increased.  Numerous schools and civic functions were canceled due to the storm.  Seveal airplane flights were delayed or cancelled at the major airports in Madison and Milwaukee.  Synoptically, a strong low pressure developed over the Oklahoma panhandle and moved to northern Arkansas to Indiana and then to Lake Erie.

Winter Storm in DANE, WISCONSIN
From 08-DEC-08 18:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in JEFFERSON, WISCONSIN
From 08-DEC-08 18:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in MARQUETTE, WISCONSIN
From 08-DEC-08 18:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in GREEN LAKE, WISCONSIN
From 08-DEC-08 18:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in FOND DU LAC, WISCONSIN
From 08-DEC-08 18:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in SAUK, WISCONSIN
From 08-DEC-08 18:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in COLUMBIA, WISCONSIN
From 08-DEC-08 18:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in DODGE, WISCONSIN
From 08-DEC-08 18:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Winter Storm in IOWA, WISCONSIN
From 08-DEC-08 18:00:00 to 09-DEC-08 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer