More snow, cold are on the way
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Footprints in Thursday’s dusting of snow testify to the popularity of the Fischer Creek Trail, even in winter. The trail, located on the south side of Janesville, is often kept clear of deep snow by volunteers. Those volunteers could have their hands full today and tomorrow as up to 7 inches of snow is forecast to fall in our area.
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Mother Nature is lining up Wisconsin for another one-two punch of wintry weather.
The National Weather Service said a daylong snowfall today would dump up to half a foot or more of snow across southern and central Wisconsin, and that will be followed next week by some of the most frigid weather so far this season.
In Rock County this morning, two crashes were reported before 7 a.m.—within a couple hours after snow started falling.
Authorities at about 6:40 a.m. closed Highway 51 between East County M and West County M in Fulton Township because of a traffic crash with injuries.
A Rock County sheriff's deputy was directing traffic off Highway 51 onto East County M, said a spokeswoman at the Rock County Communication Center.
The two-vehicle crash was reported at 6:17 a.m., she said.
The only other Rock County crash reported before 7 a.m. happened at 5:44 a.m. at Highway 104 and Highway 59 in Magnolia Township.
Forecasters said a low pressure system moving eastward through the region would bring snow late Thursday night and all day Friday, possibly continuing into Saturday.
The weather service predicted the snowfall would total about 5-8 inches across the south and lesser amounts to the north.
After quiet weather Saturday and Sunday, light snow is expected Sunday and Sunday night.
Then the extreme cold is expected to arrive by Tuesday, when high readings should range from only 4 below zero in the northwest to 8 above in the southeast.
The state already has gone through a December of record snows in many areas, along with bouts of subzero temperatures.
A Green Bay-based utility said the cold weather caused the typical residential customer's natural gas bill to rise about 17 percent higher than normal in December.
"It's been an almost brutal winter so far," said Wisconsin Public Service spokesperson Kerry Spees. "It's still early, so we don't know what to expect for the rest of the year in terms of heating costs."
Spees said natural gas costs are running about the same as last year.
The utility offered some tips to cut costs:
-- Lowering the thermostat can save about 2 percent on a heating bill for each degree reduced for 24 hours. Lowering it for only a few hours daily won't make much difference.
-- Wearing layers of warm clothing can help to stay comfortable in a cooler home.
-- Avoid heating unused rooms.
-- Seal drafts around windows and doors.
-- Open drapes or curtains on sunny days and close them nightly or on cloudy days.
-- Enroll in a budget-billing program to pay an average monthly bill all year rather than the seasonal high and low bills.
Jan 10, 2009 at 1:02 p.m.
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hannah- maybe you could afford heat if you didn't have a 4+ bedroom and 4 full bath home with no kids. I guess some prefer to have the outside appearance over the inside comfort.
I have a 5+ bedroom 3 1/2 bath older home and have never paid more than 350 a month for heat. We keep the temp at 68 during the day, so any guest would be comfortable visiting, and 66 while sleeping. We keep the vents and doors closed on the rooms not in use. At that temp, when the family is all here, we don't have to hand out thick bathrobes to everyone to keep them warm. I'd wonder what kind of insulation you got!
Jan 9, 2009 at 11:26 p.m.
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Think it's bad here? Try Alaska. I heard on the news this morning that they don't even cancel outdoor recess unless it reaches -20. Hahaha, most here would never survive ;)
Jan 9, 2009 at 10:51 p.m.
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hannah to cold for me I will be comfortable and believe 67/68 is good enough. Times are tight here to but I work hard and when i come home I want to relax and with a little comfort. Im happy you can do this to save.
Jan 9, 2009 at 10:47 p.m.
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By June we should be thru the winter weather and then we can get into the heat complaints lol Have a nice weekend!
Jan 9, 2009 at 5:08 p.m.
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Expect more cold and the possibility for snow and ice until Spring. You've been warned.Mother nature is working her normal cycle. There is no natural disaster in Wisconsin regarding the potential for snow. Any one who may have moved from a state like Florida may be amazed but anyone who has spent more than a year there should know Wisconsin winters include snow, ice and cold.
Jan 9, 2009 at 5:03 p.m.
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This is expected. NEWS FLASH! It's winter, happens every year at this time.
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