Snow Plume Created By Power Plant Stretches 100 Miles In Wisconsin

A power plant’s smokestack launched a snow plume that stretched about 100 miles in Wisconsin.

The Portage power plant spurred enough condensation nuclei into the air for snow to develop, the Weather Watch 12 team learned Monday (January 18). The snow plume stretched to Lake Michigan.

The National Weather Service categorized Milwaukee and other parts of Wisconsin under a hazardous weather outlook Tuesday afternoon and tonight (January 19).

“Light snow is expected across southern Wisconsin this afternoon,” the National Weather Service states. “Most locations will see around a half inch or less, though some areas southwest of Madison may see around one inch of accumulation.”

The National Weather Service also has a gale watch in effect from Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening (January 20) for all open waters of Lake Michigan.

“Southwest winds 20 to 30 kt with gusts up to 40 kt and waves 7 to 12 ft possible,” according to the National Weather Service. “Strong winds can cause hazardous waves which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility.”

The National Weather service issued a special weather statement for La Crosse, Prairie Du Chien and other areas of Wisconsin:

“Light snow is producing slippery travel conditions and reduced visibility across southeast Minnesota and portions of northeast Iowa into southwest Wisconsin,” the statement reads. “The snow will continue into this afternoon with additional accumulation of 1/2 to 1 inch expected with localized amounts of up to 2 inches possible. Drive with extra caution and reduce travel speeds.”

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