Record Snowfall Hits Southeastern Wisconsin as Spring Approaches

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Southeastern Wisconsin experienced a sudden winter storm on Sunday morning, March 16, 2025, bringing moderate to heavy snowfall across the region. Accumulations varied significantly, with some areas reporting over six inches.

The National Weather Service reported snowfall from a weather system that affected the area predominantly in the morning hours, moving out by noon. Though accumulation was notable, warmer temperatures above freezing on Sunday afternoon are expected to prevent the snow from sticking around for long.

As of late Sunday morning, Milwaukee recorded 5.1 inches of snow, while nearby Franklin and Greendale reported 6.5 and 6.4 inches, respectively. Other significant totals included Muskego with 6.2 inches and Waterford at five inches. In contrast, areas just a few miles away experienced significantly less snow, such as Oconomowoc with 1.2 inches and Sullivan with only 0.6 inches.

Andrew Quigley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, noted, “This weather pattern is typical of March in Wisconsin, where conditions can change dramatically within hours. We started the day with snow but will see a rapid warm-up.”

While the snow created hazardous conditions, leading to potential school and business closures, the forecast indicates improvements in weather as the region heads into St. Patrick’s Day. Highs of nearly 50 degrees are expected on Monday, with even warmer temperatures anticipated on Tuesday, reaching the low 60s.

Looking ahead, another weather system is projected to impact southeastern Wisconsin from Wednesday into Thursday. Forecasters predict that this system will bring rain initially before transitioning to snow, though exact timing and snowfall totals remain uncertain. “We expect the second storm to be a mixed bag of precipitation, but we’ll continue to monitor and provide updates as it approaches,” Quigley added.

Residents are encouraged to use resources such as the FOX6 Storm Center app for real-time updates as the spring season progresses. The shifts in weather not only affect road conditions but also local activities as communities prepare for the fluctuating climate typical of early spring.