Hydrologist warns of flooding problems if snow melts too fast

MADISON (AP) — If all this snow melts too quickly, there could be severe flooding in areas of Wisconsin -- according to the National Weather Service.Steve Buan, the senior hydrologist for the North Central River Forecast Center in Chanhassen, Minn., says the ripening flood conditions have been caused by higher-than-usual snowfall and frost depths nearing eight feet in some places.He says the frost can cause problems because water will have trouble seeping into the ground, and that forces the runoff into the rivers.He warned that cities along the Wisconsin, Rock, Fox, Pecatonica and other state rivers should prepare for flooding.The Portage area is the biggest concern because of an expected overload from melting snow in northern Wisconsin flowing down the Wisconsin River.

Harsh winter means rising costs for those looking to build a home

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Those looking to build a home are facing delays, and it's just another thing that can be blamed on this year's harsh winter."I've never experienced anything that compared to this (winter)," Lemel Homes President Joel Lemel said.Kristine Hillmer with the Metropolitan Builders Association says this winter is making it harder for home builders to work.

Another dose of light snow expected to arrive Tuesday evening

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- We may be in meteorological spring, but winter is not loosening its grip on southeast Wisconsin.Overnight Monday into Tuesday morning, up to two to three inches of fresh snow fell on the region -- and the FOX6 Storm Center forecast includes another inch to three to fall late Tuesday into Wednesday.Tuesday Night: Cloudy skies.

State agencies extend authorization to transport fuel

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Due to the ongoing cold weather and to accommodate transport of propane and certain other commodities, the Wisconsin Departments of Transportation (WisDOT) and Administration (DOA) have determined an energy emergency exists and are extending the authorization allowing motor carriers to transport overweight loads of energy resources such as fuel and oil, along with milk commodities.

Reporter blasted with snow from snow plow while LIVE on air

WOODSTOWN, N.J. (WITI) -- FOX6's News partners at FOX29 in Philadelphia are sharing video in which their reporter, Steve Keeley experienced a bit of a mishap while covering a snowstorm.Keeley spent Monday morning, March 3rd in New Jersey covering the snowstorm -- and was blasted with snow from a plow while reporting LIVE on the air from the side of a road.FOX29 says this is the 15th snowstorm Keeley has reported on this season -- and say CLEARLY he is a pro -- because he didn't miss a beat despite being pummeled with snow!Later Monday morning, Keeley reflected on the incident, saying he was 20 feet from the road and that shows how far plows can throw snow when traveling at high speeds.Keeley also had some fun with the incident, telling "Good Day Philadelphia:" "You know I've spent my whole time here, ever since the invention of YouTube, I have done everything I could to avoid being a YouTube star, and I think that hit will be on YouTube."FOX29 reports someone claiming to be the plow driver actually called the station on Monday morning to say he was sorry.Following the incident, Keeley took to his Twitter page, where he posted the following:

West, northwest Wis. to get 13 to 17 inches of snow by Fri. afternoon

NORTHWEST WISCONSIN (WITI) -- West and northwest Wisconsin will receive 13 to 17 inches by Friday afternoon with the highest snow near Lake Superior and lower accumulations farther from the lake.As of 5:30 a.m., Superior reports 12.4 inches, Ashland has 11 inches, and Eau Claire has 7.4 inches.

Six students injured when school bus goes into ditch in Rubicon

DODGE COUNTY (WITI) -- Dodge County Sheriff's officials say a school bus went into a ditch on Monday afternoon, February 17th -- as measurable snow was falling throughout southeastern Wisconsin.It happened just after 3:30 p.m. near County Highway NP and Valley Road in Rubicon.

WisDOT explains which roads get cleared first and why

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Another measurable snowfall in southeastern Wisconsin on Monday, February 17th -- and that likely has you concerned about the roads, especially if you have to drive on Monday.

As snow falls, lots of concern over roads in Racine County

RACINE CO. (WITI) -- A Winter Storm Warning took effect, and in southeast Wisconsin on Monday, February 17th, we dealt with another measurable snowfall -- and in Racine County Monday, there were both short-term and long-term concerns about the roads.The snow began to fall on Monday morning, and continued throughout the day.

Snow on Monday made it slow going for drivers in Sheboygan Co.

SHEBOYGAN COUNTY (WITI) -- As the snow fell throughout the day on Monday, February 17th and into the evening hours -- at one point in the evening, all county deputies were assisting distressed drivers.Blowing snow, low visibility and low travel speeds were factors in the trip from Milwaukee to Sheboygan County Monday.Mile after mile, there were trucks pulled over, cars in the ditch and even vehicles stuck in fields."It's powdery, but it's packy snow so it's very slippery," Mike Knudtson said.Knudtson has four-wheel drive on his truck, but even he was erring on the side of caution on Monday."You've also got to take it slow because four-wheel drive does not mean four-wheel stop," Knudtson said."A lot of people driving like idiots.

Dozens of cancellations at Mitchell International Airport

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee's Mitchell International Airport says there were about 40 flights cancelled on Monday, February 17th because of the inclement weather.Most of the cancelled flights were by Southwest Airlines -- which airport officials said tends to proactively cancel flights so people can re-book from home and not drive through the inclement weather.Just about every flight to and from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport was cancelled due to the poor conditions at both airports.Officials say crews at Mitchell did a "great job" of clearing runways -- which are two miles long and 200 feet wide.

MCTS spokeswoman says buses running behind schedule

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- With the snow flying in southeastern Wisconsin on Monday, February 17th, a Milwaukee County Transit System spokeswoman says buses are running behind schedule.