Traffic slow going on Monday as snow falls during rush hour commute

WAUKESHA COUNTY (WITI) -- Snow was falling across southeastern Wisconsin on Monday afternoon and evening -- and was beginning to accumulate during the evening commute on Monday.

FOX6's Jenna Sachs was stationed along I-94 in Waukesha County on Monday evening -- monitoring the conditions.

Law enforcement officials in Waukesha County responded to 23 property damage accidents, one minor personal injury accident, two unknown cause accidents and 13 vehicles in the ditch -- from 4:00 p.m. until 7:20 p.m.

Early Monday evening, the State Patrol reported no major incidents on the roadways -- but they were ready to handle whatever popped up.

"We're geared up for the worst, but we're hoping for the best. I think it's the timing I'm most concerned about," State Patrol Capt. Tim Carnahan said.

Officials in Waukesha County said all 58 trucks were out on Monday evening.

Snow fell during the evening commute and covered roadways -- and then, day turned to night.

Law enforcement officials on Monday evening were busy responding to crashes that were mostly minor.

"Just your average kinda runoffs, cars in the ditch. No real big crashes. It doesn't take much at all to make the roads bad, just make it a little slippery is all you need," State Trooper Robert Borek said.

Drivers say most on the roads seemed cautious in the suddenly slick conditions.

"People were pretty good. I think we learned our lesson over the last couple weeks," Tom Devine said.

"I think when you get that tiny bit of snow it just makes it that much slipperier -- especially at the intersections," Jin Knoblauch said.

The State Patrol said when snow like this falls, they take precautions.

"When we get word that weather is coming, we like to adjust our staffing which most often means beef it up, move people from areas that we think are going to get a little bit more snow than others," Capt. Tim Carnahan with the Wisconsin State Patrol said.

According to the DOT, major roadways across the Milwaukee area were snow-covered Monday -- and that was the case from Kenosha up to Sheboygan.

Law enforcement officials in Milwaukee County responded to six crashes (five property damage, one minor injury crash), 11 disabled vehicles and one abandoned vehicle from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday.

Officials are urging drivers to check their tires, leave space between vehicles and slow down.