Drivers in Northeast Wisconsin see variety of treacherous conditions

WINNEBAGO COUNTY - The weather not helping anyone out on the roads Sunday evening; conditions have been changing throughout the day.

From mostly snow up closer to Green Bay – to the heavy snow and sleet experienced near Oshkosh.

So as people started to dig out Sunday evening and prepare for the possible ice coming their way, others used the weather as a way to run some errands, minus the crowds.

"Going to Woodman’s, going to do some grocery shopping,” said Mike Cull of Greenville Sunday evening. “Got (my pickup truck) in 4-wheel drive, cause the roads are a little bit slick, but it's not too shabby right now."

“I'm driving a 4-wheel drive truck – with a heavy load on the back,” said Glenn Taylor of Grand Chute, out to help dig some friends out of their homes. “So, I have to take it a little bit slower."

Earlier in the day, travel wasn't too bad in Outagamie and Winnebago Counties. But as the hours went on, drier snow was replaced with heavy, wet snow. Visibility declined.

The Winnebago County Highway Department's 30 plows were doing what they could to prepare for Sunday evening's expected ice-rain mix.

"It doesn't take long to wash it off, so, because the snow's going to come to an end, then we're going to get a bead of salt out, once this snow ends,” said Jon Groth, a highway superintendent with Winnebago County.

By about 5 pm, sleet and a rain-snow mix replaced the heavy snow – which officials say isn't a good combination.

"Especially the secondary roads where they might not get that plowed off first, before that rain comes,” said Trooper Lou Judge with the Wisconsin State Patrol. “You get that freezing ice on top of the snow and it's pretty dangerous conditions."

And of course, in changing weather conditions it's best to stay off the roads if you can. But if you do have to travel, Judge says to plan accordingly and call someone to let them know where you are going and what time you're expected back, in case something happens.

"If you have a cell phone, make sure it's with you, make sure it's charged. Batteries go dead quickly in the cold,” explained Judge. “Something to stay warm – make sure you have gloves, jacket, extra blankets in the car never hurts; water, candy bar.”

While the winter weather might not be the best, Cull and Taylor are taking some positives away from it.

"If it's going to be cold, might as well have snow out here,” said Cull.

Groth says there will be trucks on the highway throughout the evening to try and maintain the road surface.