MONROE - Judging by the weather, it's hard to believe there still are 12 days until winter officially begins.
Green and Lafayette county residents had to contend with freezing rain Monday afternoon through early this morning.
But that was only part of the storm that arrived in the area.
The rain changed over to snow early this morning. Snow was expected to last throughout most of the day. Between 1 and 3 inches were expected before snow ended around midnight Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. As much as 11 inches of snow had originally been forecast for the area, but predictions were dialed down as the snow band pushed north.
Despite the overnight rain, which turned to ice on the roadways, neither Green nor Lafayette County reported serious traffic crashes this morning.
Green County Sheriff Randy Roderick said there were three weather-related minor accidents after midnight. Two vehicles went off the road on Wisconsin 69 and a vehicle sideswiped another vehicle at about 5 a.m. on Wis. 11 east of the Wis. 81/69 interchange. There were no injuries in the accidents.
Lafayette County Chief Deputy John Reichling reported three vehicles slid off the road overnight. He said people were more careful on the roads because they knew the storm would be severe.
"I think all of the media attention helped make people aware of how serious this storm would be," he said.
Reichling said motorists needed to continue to be careful throughout the day.
"You never know when you're going to hit a slippery spot and go off the road," he said.
Roderick and Reichling said the fact all area schools were canceled may have helped to keep traffic crashes down since there were fewer cars on the roads.
Roads in Green County this morning were slippery in some stretches and drivers were told to use caution.
Green County Highway Commissioner Dallas Cecil said crews were out at 3 a.m. because of the ice on the roads.
"We've have a mixed bag of rain, sleet and snow overnight," he said. "There are stretches where the roads are slippery."
Highway crews applied salt on the roads, but then the snow started. It began to snow heavily in the northern portion of the county at about 4 a.m.
"The snow is going to cover the icy spots so people need to be careful," Cecil said. People who don't need to travel should stay home, he advised.
Cecil said highway crews would be on the roads throughout the day.
"We'll just have to keep working on them," he said.
Lafayette County Highway Commissioner Tom Jean said the main roads, highways, in the county were in fair winter driving condition, but the county and township roads would be the most difficult for drivers unless they took their time.
Crews were out at 4 a.m. on the state roads and at 5 a.m. on county roads and were ready for a busy day.
"They're going to need attention all day long," he said.
All area schools were closed today, giving students their first snow day of the year.
Green and Lafayette county residents had to contend with freezing rain Monday afternoon through early this morning.
But that was only part of the storm that arrived in the area.
The rain changed over to snow early this morning. Snow was expected to last throughout most of the day. Between 1 and 3 inches were expected before snow ended around midnight Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. As much as 11 inches of snow had originally been forecast for the area, but predictions were dialed down as the snow band pushed north.
Despite the overnight rain, which turned to ice on the roadways, neither Green nor Lafayette County reported serious traffic crashes this morning.
Green County Sheriff Randy Roderick said there were three weather-related minor accidents after midnight. Two vehicles went off the road on Wisconsin 69 and a vehicle sideswiped another vehicle at about 5 a.m. on Wis. 11 east of the Wis. 81/69 interchange. There were no injuries in the accidents.
Lafayette County Chief Deputy John Reichling reported three vehicles slid off the road overnight. He said people were more careful on the roads because they knew the storm would be severe.
"I think all of the media attention helped make people aware of how serious this storm would be," he said.
Reichling said motorists needed to continue to be careful throughout the day.
"You never know when you're going to hit a slippery spot and go off the road," he said.
Roderick and Reichling said the fact all area schools were canceled may have helped to keep traffic crashes down since there were fewer cars on the roads.
Roads in Green County this morning were slippery in some stretches and drivers were told to use caution.
Green County Highway Commissioner Dallas Cecil said crews were out at 3 a.m. because of the ice on the roads.
"We've have a mixed bag of rain, sleet and snow overnight," he said. "There are stretches where the roads are slippery."
Highway crews applied salt on the roads, but then the snow started. It began to snow heavily in the northern portion of the county at about 4 a.m.
"The snow is going to cover the icy spots so people need to be careful," Cecil said. People who don't need to travel should stay home, he advised.
Cecil said highway crews would be on the roads throughout the day.
"We'll just have to keep working on them," he said.
Lafayette County Highway Commissioner Tom Jean said the main roads, highways, in the county were in fair winter driving condition, but the county and township roads would be the most difficult for drivers unless they took their time.
Crews were out at 4 a.m. on the state roads and at 5 a.m. on county roads and were ready for a busy day.
"They're going to need attention all day long," he said.
All area schools were closed today, giving students their first snow day of the year.