Lots of snow, but few big problems reported in Kewaunee County

KEWAUNEE COUNTY - Well, it could've been worse.

A weather pattern saw lake-enhanced snow bands drop about a foot of snow late Sunday night, Jan. 14, and throughout the day Monday along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Kewaunee County, with similar or heavier totals north and south of the county, 

The National Weather Service reported Kewaunee received 11.1 inches of snow, and other sources reported Algoma with 9 inches. In Manitowoc County, Two Rivers checked in with 15.9 inches according to WBAY-TV Channel 2, and totals along both the lake and bay of Green Bay shores in Door County ranged from 11 in Sturgeon Bay to 25 in Ephraim.

But, even with the massive snow reports in Kewaunee County, Sheriff Matt Joski said this wasn't the worst storm his department has faced, even this winter, where calls to the department are concerned.

"In fact, it went very well," Joski said. "the first snow we had, I think we saw more issues than with this one. I think the first one, people weren't ready for it, they didn't have the right equipment on their cars. This snow, I think people were more prepared."

Joski cited two other reasons his department wasn't inundated with calls because of the storm.

First, the heavy snow was predicted to happen. And, also as predicted, it started late Sunday and continued overnight into Monday. That saw schools across the county announce Sunday night they would be closed Monday.

"So, I think the people were ready for it. They used caution," Joski said. "I think that laid the groundwork for the rest of the day."

Second, while the snow totals were big, they weren't accompanied by strong winds that frequently accompany winter storms. Thus, the county didn't have much drifting and blowing snow, plus vehicles that were on the roads most likely were easier to control than if the wind was howling. 

"It wasn't a blizzard, with high winds," Joski said. "There was a lot of accumulation but not much blowing snow."

The lake-enhanced snow, as it was called instead of lake-effect by WLUK-TV Fox 11, saw warmer, moist winds come onto the Lake Michigan shoreline from the southeast and run into a mild snow system already moving through Northeast Wisconsin. Those added winds created the bigger snowfalls along the shore.

For example, Luxemburg, about 15 miles inland from the lake, saw 6.5 inches of snow, while Denmark, a similar distance away, reported 5. Green Bay had reports ranging from 1.7 to 3.1 inches, and most of Northeast Wisconsin reported between 2 and 4 inches of snow.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Lots of snow, but few big problems reported in Kewaunee County