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Late snow impacts; winter weather prep begins

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Published  March 21, 2024 5:35pm CDT
Winter Weather
FOX6 News Milwaukee

Early spring snow challenges for landscapers

The mostly snow-free weather at the tail-end of winter in southeastern Wisconsin meant many landscaping companies switched out of snowplowing mode. But now, with several inches of wet, heavy snow headed our way, they need to switch back.

MILWAUKEE - A lot of businesses are getting ready for the incoming snow, but the timing is a challenge.

After a nice stretch of spring-like weather, landscapers said they have yet again pulled out their winter equipment, hoping this will be the last time.

It’s quiet, but that isn’t going to last.

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"It is calm… now," said Dorshak Tree Specialists operations manager Ericka Everett. "Going into grind mode, we had to get it done."

Crews at Dorshak Tree Specialists are getting ready for Friday's snow. They had already switched into spring mode. So this week, mechanics worked to move everything back to winter equipment.

"Over loaders that we’re using for our tree and landscaping now, those are having to go back to the snow sites," Everett said.

Over at Villani Landshapers, they’re also changing over their spring equipment back to snow removal. This includes putting snow plows back on their trucks and making sure their salters and other winter equipment works.

"We’re like, well, let’s get everything back on, let’s see what we got to do," said  fleet manager Rob Linder.

The lack of winter weather also left a shortfall in staff.

"Probably the biggest challenge is finding the guys again, bringing them back in," he said.

But it's something both companies say they are used to.

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"It’s Wisconsin, wait five minutes, it’ll change," Linder said.

Because as the seasons change back and forth, the attitude remains the same.

""It wouldn’t be Wisconsin without snow in March," Everett said.

FOX6 Weather Extras

Meanwhile, FOX6Now.com offers a variety of extremely useful weather tools to help you navigate the stormy season. They include the following: 

FOX6 Storm Center app

FOX6 News app

FOX Weather app

What is the FOX Model?

What is the FOX Model?

FOX Weather Expert Tom Wachs explains the value of the FOX Model for our team -- and our viewers.

FOX Weather

Maps and radar

We have a host of maps and radars on the FOX6 Weather page that are updating regularly — to provide you the most accurate assessment of the weather. From a county-by-county view to the Midwest regional radar and a national view — it’s all there.

School and business closings

When the weather gets a little dicey, schools and businesses may shut down. Monitor the latest list of closings, cancellations, and delays reported in southeast Wisconsin.

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