Heavy Snow — Polk, Wisconsin

2024-03-21 to 2024-03-22 · Polk, Wisconsin

Event narrative

Six to eight inches of snow fell across the central region of the county. Six and a half inches of snowfall was measured 7 miles NNW of Amery, WI.

Wider weather episode

A troughing pattern over the Pacific Northwest ejected a shortwave trough across the Northern Continental U.S. In the mid-levels of the atmosphere, a defined thermal gradient developed over south-central MN which progressed northward into western WI. Forcing for snowfall development was maximized along a narrow band extending from Polk to Barron Counties. This forcing led to heavy snowfall rates exceeding one inch per hour with six to eight inches of snow accumulations.

Highest accumulations were observed:

8.0 inches 2 SE of Chetek, WI (Barron County)

8.0 inches 10 NW of New Auburn, WI (Barron County)

6.5 inches 7 NNW of Amery, WI (Polk County).

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1167368. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.