Photos: Remembering 2008 blizzard that shut down area, stranded cars on interstate
A blizzard struck the Madison area Feb. 5 and 6, 2008, bringing with it more than 12 inches of snow and high winds, creating treacherous road conditions that forced many schools and businesses to close. The storm also stranded some 2,000 vehicles for as long as 12 hours on Interstate 39-90 south of Madison, and the State Patrol was heavily criticized for not closing the highway before conditions got so bad. Snow totals included 13.4 inches in Madison, 16.5 inches in Sun Prairie and Beaver Dam, 16 inches in Janesville and 21 inches in Orfordville and Beloit. Here's a look back at coverage from that time.
Stranded on interstate, Feb. 6, 2008
Some 2,000 vehicles were stranded overnight on Interstate 39-90 south of Madison after a blizzard struck Feb. 6, 2008. The State Patrol came under withering criticism for not closing the highway after problems first arose.
Cow in a blizzard, Feb. 6, 2008
A cow along Lincoln Road in the town of Oregon Wednesday seems unfazed by blizzard-like conditions and the layer to snow on its fur Feb. 6, 2008.
Crossing Parmenter, Feb. 6, 2008
A man jogs across Parmenter Street in Middleton on Feb. 6, 2008. Normally filled with traffic in early morning, the street was nearly bare in the blizzard sweeping through the area.
Snowy freight train, Feb. 6, 2008
A slow freight train rolls through blizzard conditions in downtown Stoughton in Feb. 6, 2008, when 18 inches fell on the area.
No respite from snow, Feb. 6, 2008
High winds off Lake Mendota made the walk across Park Street on the UW-Madison campus a cold one Feb. 6, 2008. Then there was the snow, of course. It closed schools, snarled traffic and strained the backs of countless shovelers.
Vehicles slide off road, Feb. 6, 2008
An ambulance responds to three vehicles that slid off Highway 14 in Fitchburg just north of Oregon on Feb. 6, 2008.
Traversing Park Street, Feb. 6, 2008
Pedestrians make their way across Park Street on the UW-Madison campus Feb. 6, 2008, amid a winter storm that dropped more than a foot of snow.
Braving conditions
A bicyclist braves the weather conditions while peddling along Park Street on the UW-Madison campus Feb. 6, 2008. The heavy snow slowed traffic and, eventually, closed the UW campus, along with many businesses in Madison.
Crossing University Avenue
A pedestrian crosses University Avenue near Park Street in Madison on Feb. 6, 2008.
Going to work, Feb. 6, 2008
Chris Kraemer, a registered nurse with Care Wisconsin, scrapes snow and ice from her vehicle before setting out to make three home visits to senior citizens Feb, 6, 2008.
Blowing out, Feb. 7, 2008
Jose Garzon, of Glacier Landscaping, was busy with his snowblower Feb. 7, 2008, in a driveway in Oregon, a day after 13.4 inches of snow fell in one of the biggest snowfalls ever in the Madison area.
Feb. 7, 2008, front page
Front page from Feb. 7, 2008, State Journal.
Local section from Feb. 7, 2008
Feb. 7, 2008, State Journal local section.
After some snow later Wednesday into Thursday across southern Wisconsin, the coldest air of the season will move in, according to forecasters.
Southeastern Wisconsin residents will see enough snow Friday to shovel, while it's uncertain how much south-central Wisconsin will get, according to forecasters.
Temperatures in the northern Plains and Midwest from Jan. 24-28 should average 10 to 20 degrees below normal, which could put highs in the single digits and lows below zero, AccuWeather said.
While confidence is increasing that accumulating snow will fall Saturday and Sunday, there still is considerable uncertainty regarding amounts and the timing of the snow, according to forecasters.
A Dane County school district claimed it was working with YWCA Madison on community healing in wake of a lesson on slavery, but YWCA CEO Vanessa McDowell says, "That is not true." No such partnership exists.Â
The storm system will deliver just enough wet, heavy snow to cause slippery travel conditions as it moves quickly through Wisconsin on Sunday, according to forecasters.
After pleasant highs in the upper 70s Thursday and Friday, highs will jump to the upper 80s and low 90s for the weekend for southern Wisconsin, according to forecasters.
A powerful storm system that delivered a blizzard to the west and north and deadly tornadoes to the south is set to dump heavy snow on parts of Wisconsin.
A winter storm watch is in effect from Thursday morning into Saturday morning, with 6 inches or more of snow, 50 mph or higher winds, and bitter cold predicted.
Storm to dump heavy, wet snow on Wisconsin Wednesday into Thursday. See how much will fall and where
There will be a sharp dividing line between snow and rain, with more falling to the north and west and less to the south and east, according to forecasters.
Another winter storm that is forecast to dump several inches of snow across southern Wisconsin will be keeping road crews and law enforcement busy on Thursday.
However, 4 to as much as 8 inches of snow still is expected for a wide segment from northwest Wisconsin to the Green Bay area.
After 2025’s record-dry January, this year is off to a rainier-than-average start, with even more rain — and snow — headed Madison’s way.
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