Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Big blast of snow could begin today

A winter storm watch for northern Wisconsin and the Gogebic Range is in effect from late this afternoon through Thursday.

The National Weather Service predicts the storm could dump from 3 to 5 inches of snow tonight and another 8 to 12 inches on Thursday.

There could be a period of freezing rain and sleet when the snow begins. Ice accumulations are possible.

The band of snow was expected to produce accumulations of 4 to 7 inches for portions of east central Minnesota and areas of northwest Wisconsin, according to the NWS office in Duluth.

Travel may be hazardous.

Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, Iron, Burnett, Washburn, Sawyer and Price counties were included in the storm watch area.

With winds of 15 to 25 mph predicted from the north, generating lake-effect precipitation, the Gogebic Range could receive more snow than the other counties listed in the storm watch area.

Much colder air will move in behind the low front and wind-chill advisories may be issued for parts of the area Thursday night into early next week, the weather service said on Tuesday.

Weekend lows could hit minus-14 degrees.

—Ralph Ansami