MONROE - Snow as thick and heavy as mashed potatoes dumped all day Thursday on southern Wisconsin, causing hazardous roads and closures of schools and businesses.
By 5:30 p.m., the sheriff's departments hadn't been called to any serious accidents in Green or Lafayette County, but deputies and road crews were scrambling to meet the demand of calls to dispatch for help.
"The phones are ringing off the hook," said Lt. Paul Weichbrod. Cars were crashing or sliding in the ditch, and residents were complaining of power outages.
The northern part of Green County was under a foot of snow already - with a treacherous layer of ice under that. Weichbrod described the conditions as "horrible."
The City of Monroe also hadn't yet encountered any serious accidents by late afternoon Thursday, according to Police Chief Fred Kelley.
The sheer weight of the wet, sticky snow was causing problems by causing power lines to sag and obscuring traffic lights. City street workers were sent to wipe the snow off the lights, Kelley said.
Green County does not pull snow plows off the roads, unless visibility is too poor, according to the county's Department of Transportation.
"And visibility is not really good now," said Jeff Wunschel, Green County Highway Commissioner at noon Thursday. Winds were blowing at about 20 mph at the time.
Green County follows state guidelines for plow drivers to be on the roads, typically about 4 a.m. until 10 p.m., Wunschel said.
Some parts of the county caught rain early Thursday, and precipitation changed to snow later in the morning, Wunschel said, making the roads slippery from packed snow and ice.
It might not be a bad idea to stay home Friday, too, he added. Winds may let up, but drifting could still be a problem. He recommends visiting www.511.org for information on weather and traffic conditions.
"We'll probably still be out cleaning up Saturday morning," he said.
Schools closed for Friday include Argyle, Black Hawk, Darlington, Juda, Monroe, Monticello, New Glarus and Pecatonica.
The Village of New Glarus postponed its garbage and recycling collection to Saturday, asking residents to have their cars and containers to the curb by 7 a.m.
Thursday's garbage collection in Monroe was canceled. Residents with Thursday collection will be allowed two bags free of charge next Thursday, Dec. 27.
Businesses also felt the effects of the snow.
AmericInn Motel was "not full... yet," said manager Salena Allen, at noon Thursday.
"I think people were smart enough to stay off the roads," she added. But people who work at local businesses were smart enough to book a room for Wednesday night, she said.
Colony Brands Bakery and Cheese Operations Departments were closed Thursday, with operations set to resume Friday. But packing crews came in to work on the holiday orders, according to staff.
YMCA-Monroe closed early, as did Turner Hall, Rainbow Confections and other local businesses.
Turner Hall fulfilled their reservations for Thursday, but many groups called in to reschedule and most employees were told to stay home.
"It's just me and the chef," said Brenda Steurer, manager.
By 5:30 p.m., the sheriff's departments hadn't been called to any serious accidents in Green or Lafayette County, but deputies and road crews were scrambling to meet the demand of calls to dispatch for help.
"The phones are ringing off the hook," said Lt. Paul Weichbrod. Cars were crashing or sliding in the ditch, and residents were complaining of power outages.
The northern part of Green County was under a foot of snow already - with a treacherous layer of ice under that. Weichbrod described the conditions as "horrible."
The City of Monroe also hadn't yet encountered any serious accidents by late afternoon Thursday, according to Police Chief Fred Kelley.
The sheer weight of the wet, sticky snow was causing problems by causing power lines to sag and obscuring traffic lights. City street workers were sent to wipe the snow off the lights, Kelley said.
Green County does not pull snow plows off the roads, unless visibility is too poor, according to the county's Department of Transportation.
"And visibility is not really good now," said Jeff Wunschel, Green County Highway Commissioner at noon Thursday. Winds were blowing at about 20 mph at the time.
Green County follows state guidelines for plow drivers to be on the roads, typically about 4 a.m. until 10 p.m., Wunschel said.
Some parts of the county caught rain early Thursday, and precipitation changed to snow later in the morning, Wunschel said, making the roads slippery from packed snow and ice.
It might not be a bad idea to stay home Friday, too, he added. Winds may let up, but drifting could still be a problem. He recommends visiting www.511.org for information on weather and traffic conditions.
"We'll probably still be out cleaning up Saturday morning," he said.
Schools closed for Friday include Argyle, Black Hawk, Darlington, Juda, Monroe, Monticello, New Glarus and Pecatonica.
The Village of New Glarus postponed its garbage and recycling collection to Saturday, asking residents to have their cars and containers to the curb by 7 a.m.
Thursday's garbage collection in Monroe was canceled. Residents with Thursday collection will be allowed two bags free of charge next Thursday, Dec. 27.
Businesses also felt the effects of the snow.
AmericInn Motel was "not full... yet," said manager Salena Allen, at noon Thursday.
"I think people were smart enough to stay off the roads," she added. But people who work at local businesses were smart enough to book a room for Wednesday night, she said.
Colony Brands Bakery and Cheese Operations Departments were closed Thursday, with operations set to resume Friday. But packing crews came in to work on the holiday orders, according to staff.
YMCA-Monroe closed early, as did Turner Hall, Rainbow Confections and other local businesses.
Turner Hall fulfilled their reservations for Thursday, but many groups called in to reschedule and most employees were told to stay home.
"It's just me and the chef," said Brenda Steurer, manager.