Winter says hello to Janesville area
Closings/cancellations
Check out a full list of weather-related announcements here: wclo.com/closings
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A Janesville resident darts across Centerway in downtown Janesville as the snowstorm gained force Tuesday evening.
Photo
Tom Caufield shovels the snow from his front steps and porch after the first few inches of snow fell early Tuesday. As much as 13 inches of snow is expected to fall by the time the storm passes through the area.
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JANESVILLE — Southern Wisconsin remains in a blizzard warning after Tuesday’s snowstorm swept into the region and caused wrecks and runoffs along area roads.
About 15 crashes were reported in Janesville on Tuesday, Janesville Police Sgt. Todd Kleisner said.
About six wrecks and a dozen runoffs were reported in the county, including one wreck that closed Highway 26 north of Milton for several hours, Rock County Sheriff’s Capt. Jude Maurer said.
Strong winds coupled with snowfall created blizzard conditions Tuesday night.
Interstate 90/39 from Madison to Beloit remained snow covered Tuesday night. Interstate 43 from Beloit, across Walworth County, to Mukwonago also was snow covered.
The crash that closed Highway 26 at 4:50 p.m. involved a semitrailer truck and car. The driver of the car was transported to Janesville’s Mercy Hospital.
The semitrailer truck also was reportedly on fire.
Highway 26 remained closed as of 10 p.m.
The sheriff’s office on Tuesday began operating under the second level of its winter emergency plan. The sheriff’s office added more deputies, made all-terrain vehicles available and spoke with government agencies and snowmobile clubs to prepare for emergencies.
The Wisconsin Emergency Operations Center also was activated at 8 a.m. Tuesday to monitor the winter storm. Members of several state and federal agencies staff the center.
Gov. Jim Doyle declared a state of emergency across Wisconsin on Tuesday. The declaration means members of the Wisconsin National Guard could be activated if necessary.
Ten National Guard headquarters will be manned at 6 a.m. today for at least two shifts if they are needed. One aircrew has been placed on standby.
The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning until midnight today.
A blizzard warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected, including falling and blowing snow, strong winds and poor visibility. Whiteout conditions are expected.
About 11 to 13 inches of snowfall is expected by midday today, National Weather Service meteorologist Penny Zabel said.
Winds blowing 20 to 30 mph are predicted today, with gusts up to 40 mph, she said.
Temperatures are predicted to fall tonight, with lows of 10 to 15 degrees, Zabel said. By Thursday morning, the low temperatures are expected to be below zero.
Subzero temperatures after snowstorms can cause ruts to freeze in roads, Maurer said. Low temperatures also can make salt ineffective.
The combination causes driving difficulties, he said.
Several cancellations or delays were announced Tuesday after the snowstorm hit.
Most schools in the area have canceled classes for today. Several sporting events also have been postponed. The JPAC Your Lunch Program scheduled for today, has been rescheduled for Thursday, and the Evansville Inventors and Entrepreneurs Club holiday party set for today has been pushed all the way to Jan. 13.
The Janesville Transit System reduced or canceled service. Announcements on the city of Janesville Web site and local radio stations will alert residents of cancellations.
City of Janesville trash and recycling also was canceled for today. Both trash and recycling will be picked up next week.
The Janesville Sanitary Landfill also will be closed today but plans to reopen Thursday.
Dec 10, 2009 at 2:21 p.m.
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I actually do like to shoevel and I do my neighbors when they are not home too. Its a good workout. :)
Dec 10, 2009 at 12:39 p.m.
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Wouldn't it be funny to see someone post that they loved to shovel? I have never seen that because if they did I am sure all us whiners would say hey you are more than welcome to come do mine for me! LOL
Dec 10, 2009 at 12:01 p.m.
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anonomouse I have to agree though! I am very tired of hearing people complain about snow, shoveling and the cold. You live in WI you should be used to it!! lol
Dec 10, 2009 at 11:09 a.m.
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No it isn't.
Dec 10, 2009 at 10:56 a.m.
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whining about whining isnt real productive either;)
Dec 10, 2009 at 10:42 a.m.
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It's winter. You live in Wisconsin. It snows in the winter in Wisconsin. When it snows it may take longer to get somewhere and its your responsibility to plan accordingly. Too many people don't plan and rush around causing accident. I can't beleive people in Wisconsin have to be told about winter and snow. I also can't believe the people whinning about the longer drives. What's whinning going to get you? Snow isn't going to stop because of it.
Dec 10, 2009 at 10:33 a.m.
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My birch tress are sagging so low I can touch them. One of them is hanging over the sidewalk. The trunk is about 12 feet from the sidewalk. I hope they don't snap off. Crazy.
Dec 10, 2009 at 9:57 a.m.
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I love the snow, however I hate the cold and although the snow is pretty, my tree and bushes are victims of the beauty two huge branches down in back and my lilac bush was about 5 feet tall now it is 2 feet tall.
Dec 10, 2009 at 9:03 a.m.
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mr winter...if you remember the obscene photo the gazette ran on there front page a few months ago...thats what im showing you:) the good news...it 'feels like' 106 degrees warmer where ill be 24 hours from now:)
Dec 10, 2009 at 8:52 a.m.
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If only it would only snow on the grass and trees and stay off the roads and sidewalks!! LOL Then I wouldn't mind it so much...
Dec 10, 2009 at 8:47 a.m.
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Were any of you out at 2 am?? My husband was to go to work. The usually 5 minute drive took him 25 because he couldnt see anything due to the conditions. When you are all snug in your bed by 10 an dup at 6 once its stopped you cant really say it wasnt anything.
Dec 10, 2009 at 7:51 a.m.
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I have to agree with beer2. They made this out to be some big huge thing that really wasn't. What happened to the blizzard? We live in WI. I wish we could expect snow like this every few days in the winter. At least it would make it worth living here! Buy a 4x4 and enjoy it while it lasts cuz at least it's somewhat warmer while its snowing!
Dec 10, 2009 at 7:42 a.m.
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beer2 did you even look outside?
Dec 9, 2009 at 7:55 p.m.
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uh Misterlippy, Obama has not been in office a year yet, you can continue to blame Bush for this and all the other crap Obama has screwed up.
Dec 9, 2009 at 6:38 p.m.
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Winter does not begin until Sun., Dec. 21, 2009, 12:47 PM EST. This was just a preseason matchup.
Dec 9, 2009 at 5:43 p.m.
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Janesville crews did a good job too! I'm sure we'll hear someone complaining, but I think they did great...thanks for all the hard work.
Dec 9, 2009 at 5:36 p.m.
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Gotta give an attaboy to the City of Delavan road crews. They did a wonderful job on the city streets throughout this storm. Great job guys!
Now, if only there were a way to keep plows from blocking off the ends of our driveways....
Dec 9, 2009 at 5:17 p.m.
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Winter! Here's your hat, what's your hurry?
Dec 9, 2009 at 5:12 p.m.
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Think Spring! lol
Dec 9, 2009 at 2:42 p.m.
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Since we don't require your services for too long, and you'll be heading out of here SOON, you won't mind if we give you the COLD shoulder and we don't put on a pot of coffee. Get our DRIFT??
Dec 9, 2009 at 12:14 p.m.
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"It must be Obama's fault..."
-Obama, +God
?
Dec 9, 2009 at 10:57 a.m.
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It must be Obama's fault...
Dec 9, 2009 at 10:34 a.m.
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I'll be nice this year and let winter stay thru the holidays. Once we get much into January, your welcome will start to wane.
Dec 9, 2009 at 10:25 a.m.
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Well, Hello to Winter! Glad to have you back, but you won't be staying long, right?
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