Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) is prepared to respond quickly and safely as a pair of winter storms push across Wisconsin. Winds topping 40 miles per hour and more than a foot of snow are expected across northeast and north-central Wisconsin by the end of the weekend.

The latest — Thursday-Friday storm

  • Winter storm warnings, advisories or a wind advisory are in place for all WPS customers from Thursday evening until early Friday evening.
  • A wide range of snow is expected. A trace amount to 2 inches of snow is expected in northeast Wisconsin, while up to 9 inches of snow is expected in Wisconsin’s Northwoods region.
  • Wind gusts may reach up to 50 miles per hour.

The latest — weekend winter storm

  • Heavy snow is forecast to fall for all WPS customers starting Saturday night and continuing throughout Sunday. A range of 12 to18 inches of snow is possible across northeast and north-central Wisconsin.
  • Wind gusts may reach up to 45 miles per hour.

How the weather could impact your service

  • Strong winds can bring down trees and branches onto power lines, creating outages.
  • Heavy snow can build up and weigh down power lines, adding more stress to electric equipment if a branch or tree falls into it.

What WPS is doing

  • Monitoring forecasts from the National Weather Service and local meteorologists.
  • Preparing all available personnel to respond quickly and safely, including line workers, forestry crews and support staff.
  • Ensuring vehicles and specialized equipment are ready to respond during the heavy snowfall.
  • WPS has strengthened its grid with regular upgrades to its power lines and equipment, and has invested millions of dollars to trim or remove thousands of hazardous trees.

What you can do right now

  • Make a plan and prepare an emergency kit: This includes charging phones, gathering flashlights and extra batteries, and having a backup plan for necessary medical equipment.
  • Download or update the WPS app: It is available via Apple Store or Google Play.
  • Confirm your WPS account info: Make sure your contact information is up to date and opt in to receive notifications by text, email, phone or all three.
  • Follow us on social media: WPS will share updates on Facebook and X if the storm causes large or widespread outages to occur.

What you can do during the storm

  • Safety first: Stay at least 25 feet away from downed power lines and storm debris. Use generators safely and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Report power outages: Submit outage reports on the WPS website, through the WPS app or by calling 800-450-7240 and following the automated prompts.
  • Stay informed: If you lose power, use the WPS outage map to track your outage and the status of repairs.
  • Clear meters safely: Don’t bury your natural gas meter or appliance vents when using a snow blower or a shovel. Gently clear snow away from your meters by hand or with a broom.