TOWN OF CLARNO - We made it almost two days into the official start of spring Friday without snow.
The dump of snow began Sunday and continued overnight into Monday morning, causing poor road conditions for morning commuters and closing area schools. Snow totals varied across the region, with reports in Monroe coming in at 6 to 8 inches. Area residents on social media reported receiving 8 inches in Brodhead; 8 to 10 inches in Albany; and 10 inches in New Glarus. One person reported 15 to 17 inches in Blanchardville. The National Weather Service confirms some areas did receive more than a foot of snow: Fennimore was listed as receiving 15 inches.
The amount of snow caught many people off guard, as only forecasts were only calling for a few inches before the snow began.
The snow led to a two-vehicle accident and two injuries on Wisconsin 69 south of the Sky-Vu drive-in theater that shut the road down for about five hours.
Laverick J. McKinney, 25, Freeport, was northbound on Wis. 69 when his vehicle hit a southbound vehicle driven by Larry R. Winter, 64, Monroe, according to a Green County Sheriff's Department news release. Laverick McKinney's passenger, Shaundra J. McKinney, 20, Freeport, sustained non life-threatening injuries and was transported to Monroe Clinic Hospital for treatment. Winter was trapped in his vehicle and had to be extricated. He was transported to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Laverick McKinney reported no injuries.
Due to the snow-covered roadway, Sheriff Mark Rohloff said deputies had a hard time finding which vehicle went left of center.
Both vehicles were severely damaged and were towed from the scene. Laverick McKinney will be cited for driving without a valid license.
Rohloff said there were several slide-offs and accidents across the county as of 1 p.m. Monday.
"We're holding it together, the snow is melting and spring is here," Rohloff said.
The snow that winter forgot
Green County Highway Commissioner Jeff Wunschel said prior to about 3 a.m. Monday, the roads were easy to clear, thanks to the warmer temperatures, but by about 4 a.m. the snow came down in earnest.
"It just dumped between about 3:30 and 5:30 when all the commuters get going," Wunschel said.
The wet, heavy flakes made for tough plowing, but Wunschel said crews had cleared as much as they could by about 10 a.m. and began salting the roads.
He said as he was out plowing Monday morning, he saw multiple vehicles in the ditch and semi tractor-trailers stalled out on hills.
"Those empty semis couldn't make it up the hill," Wunschel said. "There's nothing you can do when it snows that hard, but they'll clean up quickly."
Monroe Streets and Sanitation Supervisor Thomas Boll said the city had it a little easier than the county - but not much. He said they let the snow drop on Sunday since the leftover salt on the roads was doing a pretty good job of melting it.
He said the city will clear off the Square today. The temperature is supposed to hit 40 degrees with a low of 34, according to weather.com, which will help melt off some of the excess snow. There is also a 50 percent chance of showers today.
Wunschel said the county was prepared for the snow and had the forecast in-hand Sunday.
"Winter didn't owe us anything. There wasn't much snow this year."
The dump of snow began Sunday and continued overnight into Monday morning, causing poor road conditions for morning commuters and closing area schools. Snow totals varied across the region, with reports in Monroe coming in at 6 to 8 inches. Area residents on social media reported receiving 8 inches in Brodhead; 8 to 10 inches in Albany; and 10 inches in New Glarus. One person reported 15 to 17 inches in Blanchardville. The National Weather Service confirms some areas did receive more than a foot of snow: Fennimore was listed as receiving 15 inches.
The amount of snow caught many people off guard, as only forecasts were only calling for a few inches before the snow began.
The snow led to a two-vehicle accident and two injuries on Wisconsin 69 south of the Sky-Vu drive-in theater that shut the road down for about five hours.
Laverick J. McKinney, 25, Freeport, was northbound on Wis. 69 when his vehicle hit a southbound vehicle driven by Larry R. Winter, 64, Monroe, according to a Green County Sheriff's Department news release. Laverick McKinney's passenger, Shaundra J. McKinney, 20, Freeport, sustained non life-threatening injuries and was transported to Monroe Clinic Hospital for treatment. Winter was trapped in his vehicle and had to be extricated. He was transported to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries. Laverick McKinney reported no injuries.
Due to the snow-covered roadway, Sheriff Mark Rohloff said deputies had a hard time finding which vehicle went left of center.
Both vehicles were severely damaged and were towed from the scene. Laverick McKinney will be cited for driving without a valid license.
Rohloff said there were several slide-offs and accidents across the county as of 1 p.m. Monday.
"We're holding it together, the snow is melting and spring is here," Rohloff said.
The snow that winter forgot
Green County Highway Commissioner Jeff Wunschel said prior to about 3 a.m. Monday, the roads were easy to clear, thanks to the warmer temperatures, but by about 4 a.m. the snow came down in earnest.
"It just dumped between about 3:30 and 5:30 when all the commuters get going," Wunschel said.
The wet, heavy flakes made for tough plowing, but Wunschel said crews had cleared as much as they could by about 10 a.m. and began salting the roads.
He said as he was out plowing Monday morning, he saw multiple vehicles in the ditch and semi tractor-trailers stalled out on hills.
"Those empty semis couldn't make it up the hill," Wunschel said. "There's nothing you can do when it snows that hard, but they'll clean up quickly."
Monroe Streets and Sanitation Supervisor Thomas Boll said the city had it a little easier than the county - but not much. He said they let the snow drop on Sunday since the leftover salt on the roads was doing a pretty good job of melting it.
He said the city will clear off the Square today. The temperature is supposed to hit 40 degrees with a low of 34, according to weather.com, which will help melt off some of the excess snow. There is also a 50 percent chance of showers today.
Wunschel said the county was prepared for the snow and had the forecast in-hand Sunday.
"Winter didn't owe us anything. There wasn't much snow this year."