News

50 degree swing freezes city

Tuesday began with 40-degree weather, but high winds, snow and subzero temperatures returned to Madison last night and will continue today.

The National Weather Service declared a winter weather warning starting Tuesday at 2 p.m. and lasting until noon today. Intermittent snowfall and unusually strong winds swept through the University of Wisconsin campus Tuesday afternoon and are predicted to continue through this afternoon. The snow is expected to slow by tonight, but high winds may continue until Thursday.

Sudden changes in wind direction are responsible for the drastic weather change, said Jon Martin, professor and chair of UW atmospheric and oceanic studies department.

The sudden cold front sweeping through the Midwest is not unusual after such warm temperatures, Martin said.

“It is typical to see a sudden increase in temperature before such a forceful front like this,” he added.

Although weather reports predicted only a few inches of snow Tuesday, the howling wind and freezing roads and sidewalks were Madison’s main problem throughout the night, said Al Schumacher, streets superintendent.

“The temperature is dropping so drastically, the moisture we’ve had [Tuesday] on the pavement will freeze,” he said. “Our crews will be out all night salting the main streets and sanding non-salt routes.”

Schumacher said blowing snow would not be as bad in the city and dense residential areas because buildings block it, noting that “rural areas will get it the worst.”

Dani Joens-Tuttle, assistant director of UW residence life, sent out an e-mail advising students in residence halls to close and latch their windows last night to avoid damaged pipes.

Martin said he did not expect schools to close in the Madison area today because there will not be enough snow.

According to Schumacher, after-school events for Madison-area schools were canceled Tuesday.

Martin advised residents to refrain from driving Tuesday night, since the roads were very icy and made even more dangerous with heavy traffic.

“Give yourself plenty of time if you do need to travel,” Schumacher said. “But the best advice is stay in if you can.”

The water board meeting and Pedestrian/Bicycle/Motor Vehicle Commission cancelled meetings Tuesday night due to the weather.