MADISON, Wis. -- Heavy snow and strong winds made travel difficult in southern Wisconsin Wednesday.

READ: Read Channel 3000's Snowstorm Blog | TALKBACK: What's Your Work's Policy About Closing Because Of Snow? | SLIDESHOW: See Viewers' Photos Of Wednesday's Snowstorm (Vol. 1) | SLIDESHOW: Examine Snowstorm Images Of Downtown Madison | SLIDESHOW: See Photos Of Wednesday's Snowstorm | VIDEO: Watch Live Report From State Street (3 P.M.) | VIDEO: Watch Live Report From UW Campus (1 P.M.) | VIDEO: Watch Live Report From St. Thomas Aquinas (12 P.M.) | VIDEO: Watch Live Report From Hilldale Mall (11 A.M.) | VIDEO: Watch Live Report From West Side (10 A.M.) | VIDEO: Watch Live Report From State Street (9 A.M.) | VIDEO: Watch Live Report From Rock County (Noon) | VIDEO: Watch Live Report From Rock County (9 A.M.)

Accumulations reached a foot by midday at Stoughton in Dane County, and a few people have been cross-country skiing on sidewalks outside the Wisconsin Capitol building in Madison Wednesday afternoon.

The National Weather Service said up to 16 inches are expected to accumulate in the area from Monroe and Janesville to Port Washington and Milwaukee, with isolated areas in those vicinities getting 18 to 20 inches before the snow ends Wednesday night.

The Wisconsin State Patrol said there is a major traffic backup on Interstate 90 near Stoughton late Wednesday afternoon. Authorities said that hundreds of cars have been at a near standstill for at least four hours Wednesday. Officials said that plows are having a very difficult time getting to motorists because stuck cars and semitrailers are in the way.

The State Patrol said a large section of the roadway is nearly impassable and that people should find a warm place and stay off the roads.

Rock County authorities said that plows will continue working on Interstate 90 all night. All other Rock County plows are being pulled at 6 p.m. Wednesday and will resume at 3 a.m. Thursday, WISC-TV reported.

Green County snow plow operators were called off the roads shortly before noon because of the poor visibility. County highway commissioner Dallas Cecil, of Monroe, said the winds were blowing so hard the drivers couldn't see the front of their trucks.

Dane County officials said that city and county plows are continuing general plowing efforts for the most heavily traveled streets and highways Wednesday night. Plow drivers said that stuck and/or abandoned vehicles are hindering their efforts to keep roads clear, WISC-TV reported.

General Mitchell International Airport at Milwaukee pulled snow plow operators off its runways early Wednesday afternoon due to the falling and drifting snow. That stopped all flights there after some had been canceled or delayed earlier in the day.

The bulk of the snow fell through Wednesday morning, then started gradually decreasing from west to east Wednesday afternoon. The NWS issued a winter storm warning for about 31 counties in Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois from Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday afternoon.

NWS meteorologists said visibility will probably drop to below one-quarter mile at the height of the storm, and roads in an east-west direction will experience considerable drifting.

The severe snow is causing delays Wednesday for Madison Metro buses. Currently, metro buses are running 10 to 20 minutes late but buses will stop running routes at 7 p.m. Wednesday, WISC-TV reported.

Bus drivers said that traveling is tough going and the stopping distance is a problem so they suggest other drivers give the buses plenty of room.

A driver was killed on a slick interstate in Milwaukee County on Wednesday when he apparently lost control of his car and skidded in front of a tractor-trailer.

The sheriff's department said that the 51-year-old man died at the scene. The driver of the semi tried to brake, but wasn't able to avoid the crash.

WISC-TV meteorologist Jeff Smith said that about 5 inches of snow had fallen in Madison as of 7 a.m. He said about 8 inches had fallen in Beloit as of 7:45 a.m.

WISC-TV meteorologist Gary Cannalte said that the snow will eventually taper off to flurries. He said additional accumulations of 1 inch are likely Wednesday evening west of Richland Center, 1 to 3 inches around Dane County and 2 to 4 inches east of Dane County.

The winter storm is also causing a number of cancellations at the Dane County Regional Airport. Airport operations and maintenance crews pulled an all-nighter, clearing the runways, taxiways and gate areas, WISC-TV reported.

Airport officials said that they advise travelers to call ahead to check their flight's status.

The Rock County airport is open, and workers are doing everything they can to keep the runways clear. Driver Chet Waldhart is one of the plow drivers working on Wednesday and he said that he got a few hours of sleep at work Tuesday night before going back out to plow.

The snow is wetter than expected and it's creating icy conditions, he said.

Meanwhile, hundreds of schools across southern Wisconsin closed on Wednesday morning as snow continues to pile up from a major winter storm.

The state's largest school district, Milwaukee Public Schools, also decided to close its schools and offices. That involves 87,000 children and 14,000 employees.

Even the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee canceled classes until 3 p.m.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison canceled afternoon and evening classes beginning at 3:30 p.m.

About 143 schools in the Madison area closed or delayed opening on Wednesday.

Milwaukee's all-time record for a 24-hour snowfall is 20.3 inches, set back in Feb. 4 and 5 of 1924.

Area Cities Declare Snow Emergencies

The city of Madison declared a snow emergency on Wednesday, which will remain in effect until at least 7 a.m. on Friday. The city's parking regulations during the emergency stipulate that vehicles park on the even sides of the street on even-numbered days and odd side of the street on odd-numbered days.

The Beloit Director of Public Works declared a snow emergency on Tuesday. Under the emergency, vehicles are forbidden to impede snow removal and plowing operations on city streets. The Beloit Police Department is permitted to move any vehicle to another location at the owner's expense.

Beloit city officials also announced on Tuesday that regular garbage and recycling collection would be postponed due to the weather.

The city of Monona declared a snow emergency beginning at midnight on Wednesday through midnight on Thursday. The city prohibits parking on snow routes or any other city street during the emergency.

Stoughton has declared a snow emergency that goes into effect after midnight on Wednesday and remains in effect for the next three days. The city's parking regulations during the emergency stipulate that vehicles park on the even sides of the street on even-numbered days and odd side of the street on odd-numbered days.

Fort Atkinson has declared a snow emergency beginning at midnight on Wednesday and continuing until all streets are plowed back to the curb, according to public works officials.

The village of McFarland declared a snow emergency from 1 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday. No parking is allowed on city streets during the emergency. Alternate parking is available in the Municipal Center parking lot, the McFarland Public Library parking lot and the lot located at Exchange and Farwell streets.

Sun Prairie declared a snow emergency when snow levels reached 3 inches. During the emergency, the law prohibits parking on any city street.

A snow emergency has been declared for Lodi in effect as of Wednesday and lasting 48 hours.

A snow emergency has been declared for the village of Deerfield. The snow emergency is in effect from 2:00 a.m. Wednesday until 1 p.m. Thursday.

The village of Marshall has declared a snow emergency on Wednesday. The emergency will be in effect for the next 48 hours. The village forbids parking on city streets.

Oregon has declared a snow emergency for Wednesday night and lasting the next 48 hours.

The city of Janesville declared a snow emergency for Tuesday starting at 11 p.m. During the emergency, all vehicles must be removed from city streets and public parking lots until snow plowing operations are complete.

Officials said that those unable to park in a driveway or garage can park their vehicle one of the designated snow emergency parking stalls. These stalls are located in the six downtown municipal parking lots listed below:

East Wall Street Lot at East Wall Street and North Parker Drive

Municipal Building Lot at West Wall Street and North Jackson Street

South High Street Lot at West Court Street and South High Street

Senior Center Lot at St. Lawrence Avenue and Water Street

Hedberg Public Library Lot on Water Street

River/Union Street Lot at South River Street and Union Street

Learn About Area Cancellations, Closings

Note: For those who want to submit school closings, delays or cancellation information, please do so through normal means. For those who want to post other types of event cancellations, e-mail them. Please include all relevant information. A phone number is required should Channel 3000 need to confirm the information.

MADISON

All non-essential city offices and facilities such as libraries will be closed to the public for the remainder of the day. Regular city operations will resume on Thursday.

The West Towne and the East Towne malls will close at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

Hilldale Mall will close at 4 p.m. Sentry will open at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.

UW Health Immediate Care at East Towne and West Towne are closed. Patients advised to call ahead heading out to the clinics.

The Madison Children's Museum will be closed on Wednesday due to the extreme weather conditions.

Goodman Atwood Community Center programs, includes preschool and after-school child care, is canceled on Wednesday.

Whiz Kids Learning Center is closed on Wednesday.

Cullen Preschools in Madison is closed on Wednesday.

Monroe Street Fine Arts Center is closed on Wednesday.

The Heritage Congregational Church has canceled its Ash Wednesday worship service on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Public Health for Madison and Dane County announced that the Immunization Clinics at the South Madison Health and Family Center - Harambee are canceled on Wednesday.

Noon meal delivery for Home Health United/Meals on Wheels is canceled on Wednesday.

Madison Elks Lodge is closed on Wednesday.

The East Side Club has canceled bingo for Wednesday night.

Jellybean Daycare is closed on Wednesday.

Plymouth Congregational UCC has canceled all services for Wednesday night.

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church has rescheduled all services planned for Wednesday night.

Upper Iowa University has canceled all classes for Wednesday night.

Burke Lutheran Church has canceled the Ash Wednesday services for Wednesday night.

Trinity Lutheran Church has canceled all services for this Wednesday night.

Immanuel Lutheran Church has canceled all Ash Wednesday services for Wednesday night.

Lutheran Church of the Living Christ has canceled all services for Wednesday night.

Lake View Lutheran Church has canceled all services and activities for Wednesday night.

Klinke Cleaners will be closing its Dane County stores at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Holy Cross Lutheran Church has rescheduled services until Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Bethany United Methodist Church has canceled all services for Wednesday night.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Waterown has rescheduled all Ash Wednesday services for Wednesday at 7 p.m., services rescheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m.

Madison Family Dental Associates closed at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

Lake Trails Presbyterian Church of Madison is canceled the Ash Wednesday service for Wednesday night.

Lake Edge United Church of Christ canceled Ash Wednesday services on Wednesday night.

African American Council of Churches Lenten service at Fountain of Life Church at 7 p.m. is canceled.

Westminster Presbyterian Church in Madison is postponing its Ash Wednesday service to Thursday at 7 p.m.

La Petite Day Care Academies in Dance Co. are all closed for the day.

YMCA of Dane County East, Northeast and West Branches will be closing at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

Bashford United Methodist Church is canceling their Ash Wednesday service this evening.

Luther Memorial Church has canceled Ash Wednesday service.

Madison Media Institute is closing at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

St. Paul Lutheran Church is closed Wednesday night and Lenten supper and worship service is canceled.

Southern Wisconsin Figure Skating Club's 5 p.m. Contracted Ice is canceled Wednesday night.

Ash Wednesday services sponsored by BAMA at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is canceled.

The men's basketball game between Edgewood College and Concordia University Wisconsin scheduled for Wednesday night has been postponed one day due to a winter storm. The game at Buck Fieldhouse in Mequon will now be played on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m.

Covenant Presbyterian Church of Madison canceling this evening's Ash Wednesday worship and other activities.

All classes at East Madison Karate are canceled for Wednesday evening.

Holy Wisdom Monastery has canceled all services for Wednesday evening.

HospiceCare's Bridges Grief Support group that meets 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. will not meet Wednesday night.

BARABOO

St. John’s Lutheran Church has canceled the 3:30 p.m. service for Wednesday night. The 6:30 p.m. service will still occur.

BELLEVILLE

Belleville Ecumenical Church service has canceled all services for Wednesday night.

BELOIT

Beloit Community Health Center will be closed on Wednesday.

Beloit Clinic will be closed on Wednesday.

The food pantry at Christian Church in Beloit is closed on Wednesday.

First Class Cosmetology School is closed on Wednesday.

United Veterans Memorial Day Parade Committee Meeting at 7 p.m. has been canceled.

Freedom Fellowship has canceled all services and activities for Wednesday night.

All programs are canceled at the Merrill Community Center in Beloit on Thursday.

BLACK EARTH

New Heights Lutheran Church has canceled all services for Wednesday night.

BOSCOBELL

First Congregational UCC has canceled all Wednesday night activities.

St. John’s Lutheran Church has canceled all services for Wednesday night.

BRODHEAD

St. Peter Lutheran Church of Brodhead has canceled its Ash Wednesday 7 p.m. worship service.

CAMBRIDGE

Oakland-Cambridge Presbyterian Church has canceled all services for Wednesday night.

East Koshkonong Lutheran canceled all services and events on Wednesday and rescheduled them for Friday at 7 p.m.

CLINTON

First Presbyterian Church has canceled Ash Wednesday services.

Christ Lutheran Church has canceled all services for Wednesday night.

Jefferson Prairie Lutheran Church was canceled its Ash Wednesday service scheduled for 7 p.m.

COLUMBUS

Zion Luther Church has canceled its Ash Wednesday service on Wednesday. The service will be held on Thursday.

East Koshkonong Lutheran Church has canceled all services for Wednesday night.

The Columbus United Methodist Church's Ash Wednesday services scheduled for Wednesday night has been rescheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m.

Farmers & Merchants Union Bank has closed all offices effective 1:45 p.m.

COTTAGE GROVE

Kids Safari Learning Center in Cottage Grove is closed on Wednesday.

Trash pickup for the Town of Cottage Grove has been canceled on Wednesday. Pickup will resume on Thursday should weather permit.

CROSS PLAINS

St. Martin's Lutheran Church in Cross Plains has canceled its Ash Wednesday service.

DARLINGTON

The Darlington United Methodist Church has canceled its Ash Wednesday services at 7 p.m.

DEFOREST

Christian Faith Moravian Church has canceled all events and services for Wednesday night.

Windsor United Church of Christ has canceled all Wednesday activities and services.

Lord of Love Lutheran Church has postponed services to Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Spring Prairie Lutheran Church, rural DeForest, has canceled its Ash Wednesday service.

Ball Corporation is closed until Thursday at 6 a.m.

DELAVAN

Dean Health Clinics is closed on Wednesday in Delavan is closed on Wednesday.

DODGEVILLE

The Dodgevlle Area Chamber of Commerce event for Wednesday has been canceled.

The Dodgeville United Methodist Church's Ecumenical Ash Wednesday worship service has been canceled.

ENDEAVOR

Endeavor Trinity United Church of Christ has canceled Ash Wednesday service.

EDGERTON

Edgerton United Methodist Church Ash Wednesday worship canceled.

EVANSVILLE

United Methodist church has canceled all activities for Wednesday night.

St. John’s Lutheran Church has canceled all services for Wednesday night.

FALL RIVER

Farmers & Merchants Union Bank has closed all offices effective at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday.

FITCHBURG

Christ Memorial Lutheran Church has postponed Ash Wednesday services until Wednesday, Feb. 13.

FORT ATKINSON

St. Paul's Lutheran Church is postponing their Ash Wednesday services to Thursday at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. because of the weather.

Dean Health Clinics in Fort Atkinson is closed on Wednesday.

HAZEL GREEN

Choir practice and Ash Wednesday services are canceled at the Hazel Green United Methodist Church on Wednesday.

JANESVILLE

Rock County government offices are closed on Wednesday.

Dean Health Clinics is closed on Wednesday at Riverview in Janesville is closed on Wednesday.

Cargill United Methodist Church has cancelled the Ash Wednesday services scheduled for 12:10 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.

The City of Hope is canceling 7 p.m. services for Wednesday night.

JEFFERSON

Nestle Purina Pet Care closed for second and third shifts Wednesday night

JUNEAU

St. John’s Lutheran Church has rescheduled all services for Wednesday night for Thursday.

Farmers & Merchants Union Bank has closed all offices effective 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday.

LAKE DELTON

Mountain Faith Church Bible study has been canceled for Wednesday night.

LAKE MILLS

Kuhl Corner Campus's Childcare Center is canceled on Wednesday.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church has canceled all services for Wednesday night.

Lake Mills Moravian Church has canceled all services for Wednesday night.

LODI

Lodi Presbyterian Church Ash Wednesday worship has been postponed to Feb. 20 at 7 p.m.

MARKESAN

The Markesan United Methodist Church is postponing all Wednesday worship services and activities.

MARSHALL

Marshall United Methodist Church has postponed Ash Wednesday services for a later date.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Central Campus) has postponed service on Wednesday night and rescheduled it for Thursday at 7 p.m.

MCFARLAND

McFarland Lutheran Church has canceled all Wednesday night services for Ash Wednesday.

McFarland United Church of Christ canceled its Ash Wednesday service for Wednesday night.

Hope Lutheran Church canceled all activities for Wednesday night, including the 7 p.m. Ash Wednesday service.

MIDDLETON

West Middleton Lutheran Church has canceled all services scheduled for Wednesday night.

Greenway Station shops in Middleton are closed on Wednesday night.

MILTON

Dean Health Clinics is closed on Wednesday in Milton is closed on Wednesday.

MONONA

Auditions for The Princess and Pea at The Monona Library have been postponed for Thursday at 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Monona United Methodist Church has canceled all Ash Wednesday services for Wednesday night.

MONROE

Sloan Implement in Monroe is canceling its open house scheduled for Wednesday.

MOUNT HOREB

Evangelical Lutheran Church is cancelling its 11 a.m. Ash Wednesday service.

Mount Horeb United Methodist Church has canceled all evening services for Wednesday.

Immanuel Lutheran Church has canceled its Ash Wednesday service and high school Bible study.

NEW GLARUS

Swiss United Church of Christ has canceled all services for Wednesday night.

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church has canceled all Ash Wednesday services.

NORTHVIEW

Dean Health Clinics is closed on Wednesday in Northview is closed on Wednesday.

Riverview Urgent Care in Janesville will be opening 1 hour late on Wednesday.

ORFORDVILLE

Orfordville Lutheran Church has canceled all services for Wednesday night.

OREGON

Holy Mother of Consolidation has canceled its faith formation classes on Wednesday.

People's United Methodist Church has canceled all services and activities for Wednesday night.

Stoughton Hospital’s urgent care center in Oregon will be closed Wednesday night. ER and Urgent care in Stoughton will remain open.

PORTAGE

Portage Presbyterian Church's Ash Wednesday worship has been canceled.

Portage United Methodist church has canceled all activities, events and services for Wednesday night.

RIO

Redemmer Luthern and Bonnet Prairie has canceled all Ash Wednesday services for Wednesday night.

ROME

St. Luke's Lutheran Church has canceled its services on Wednesday.

SOUTH WAYNE

Our Savior's and Jordan Lutheran Church Lenten service scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. is canceled.

STOUGHTON

All city of Stoughton offices closed at noon on Wednesday.

The Stoughton Public Library closed on Wednesday.

The Stoughton Area Youth Center is closed on Wednesday.

Dean Health Clinics in Stoughton is closed on Wednesday.

First Lutheran Church has rescheduled Ash Wednesday services for next week. All activities for Wednesday have been canceled.

Covenant Lutheran Church has rescheduled services for Thursday.

West Koshkonong has canceled Ash Wednesday service for Wednesday night.

Covenant Lutheran Church canceled Ash Wedneday services at 11 p.m. and 7 p.m. and rescheduled them for Thursday..

LakeView Mothers of Preschoolers meeting is canceled for Thursday, Feb. 7 at LakeView Church.

The United Methodist Church has canceled all services for Wednesdsay due to the weather.

SUN PRAIRIE

Sun Prairie Public Library is closing at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Peace Lutheran Church's noon Ash Wednesday service is canceled. The church's 7 p.m. service is still scheduled.

Bethlehem Lutheran Church has canceled Ash Wednesday evening service.

Bristol Lutheran Church has canceled Ash Wednesday service.

Curves of Sun Prairie is closing at 4 p.m.

Sun Prairie Peace Lutheran's Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m. is canceled.

VERONA

Tanya's Big House 4 Kidz is closed on Wednesday.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (West Campus) has canceled Ash Wednesday service for Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

St. James Lutheran Church canceled its noon Ash Wednesday worship.

Resurrection Lutheran Church has canceled all Ash Wednesday services.

West Middleton Lutheran Church (Verona / Middleton) is canceling 7:00 pm Ash Wednesday service.

St. James Lutheran Church Ash Wednesday worship has been postponed. Worship will be held Thursday at 7 p.m.

Prairie Athletic Club in Sun Prairie closed at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

WATERLOO

St. John's Lutheran Church canceled its Ash Wednesday services.

WATERTOWN

St. Henry religious education classes are canceled for Wednesday.

St. Bernard's Church Congregation's evangelization and catechism classes is canceled for Wednesday.

WAUNAKEE

Crossroads United Methodist Church is canceling its 7 p.m. Ash Wednesday service.

WISCONSIN DELLS

Wisconsin Dells Ho Chunk Youth Services will be closed the rest of this week because of the weather. Family Night is canceled for Tuesday night.

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