Significant snowfall forecast uncertainty in Chippewa Valley

Eau Claire is preparing for a significant winter storm, with predictions varying widely about how much snow will fall. The National Weather Service (NWS) expects the heaviest snow to hit on Wednesday, with amounts between 4-8 inches in the area. Forecasters note that even slight changes in the storm's path could change total snowfall. A specific region, running from the Twin Cities to Hayward, is expected to see higher totals of 4-9 inches. The NWS warns of heavy snowfall rates, possibly reaching 1 to 2 inches per hour in some areas. The storm will begin with rain early in the morning before switching to snow around 8 a.m. A mix of wintry conditions is expected until noon, with the heaviest snowfall occurring from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Temperatures are forecast to drop, with a high around 42 degrees occurring at midnight and strong winds up to 37 mph complicating snow removal efforts. Forecasts differ significantly. Accuweather suggests the storm will start overnight, predicting 6-10 inches of snow. In contrast, the Weather Channel forecasts a much lighter accumulation of just 1-3 inches in Eau Claire. Regardless of the snow totals, temperatures are expected to return to normal in the low 40s by Thursday.