MADISON, Wis. -- The latest winter storm that plowed through Wisconsin dumped a mix of snow, sleet, ice and rain that threatened many holiday celebrations and travel plans on Christmas Eve.

SLIDESHOW: Snow Winter Storm Photos From Viewers

While the worst of the storm appears to have passed through southern Wisconsin, travelers and commuters are forced to face potentially treacherous road conditions while other residents suffer scattered power outages.

The ice and wind from the storm is a potential dangerous mix for power lines. Several thousand people are without power on across south-central part of the state, according to utility officials.

Alliant Energy officials said that as of 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, 455 people are without power. In Dane County, that figure is is down to 20 after topping more than a 1,000 hours earlier. In Rock County, there are 150 customers without power while there are another 250 affected in Walworth County.

However, the biggest problem right was in Monroe, where Alliant Energy officials reported more than 5,000 people were without power to due a problem with an ATC transmission line. The number is down to about 15 customers in that area, WISC-TV reported.

Meanwhile, area roadways are a wintery mess with the rush on to clear them as people take to the road. As city and county workers plow side streets, residents are picking through the ice and trying to clear their own driveways.

National Weather Service meteorologists said that hazardous travel, associated with snow- and ice-covered roads, is expected through Friday. A winter storm warning is in effect until 6 p.m. Friday for southwestern Wisconsin.

The ice is creating some challenges. Madison Streets superintendent Al Schumacher said his crews are wrapping up salting routes and are working to plow areas where blowing snow has been creating problems.

"We would much rather (have) the snow because it's easier to push the snow and plow that than to have to deal with the ice. Snow is much better," he said.

WISC-TV meteorologist Haddie McLean said that Wisconsin is mostly looking at rain on Thursday afternoon, which might help break up some of the ice throughout the area.

Schumacher said that the city will have 40 people working Thursday afternoon and overnight to clean up the storm. If it snows, they'll ready to handle that, too, he said.

"There were some areas because of the blowing and drifting and the icing conditions," said Schumacher. "We want to get those ice ruts off the streets before the tempertatures drop below the freezing mark and basically create ice ruts on the residential streets."

Schumacher says blowing snow created the most significant challenges as the storm began, but expects most problem areas to be clear by Christmas morning. Crews will remain on the job until the roads are clear, but Schumacher said he's trying to make sure his workers have time to spend with their families on Christmas.

Officials Remind Residents To Clear Sewer Drains

In addition to cleaning their own sidewalks and driveways, problems from the last winter storm earlier this month have city officials asking residents for help.

Streets officials are asking residents to clear their nearby sewer grates.

"We're hoping that city residents if they got a storm sewer in their neighborhood, just take a little time to get a small opening into that storm sewer because that's all it's going to take is a small opening and the water will find its way eventually," Schumacher said.

Officials said that crews weren't able to get the plows to push all of the snow back to the curbs and crews spent the past couple of days trying to get those grates cleared off.

Experts Urge Drivers To Be Prepared

Meteorologists said that travel conditions remain hazardous on secondary roads, but they will slowly improve late this morning and into this afternoon.

Eexperts said people should also bring along items such as a flashlight, drinking water, flares, jumper cables, a shovel, blankets, warm clothing and appropriate footwear in emergency kits.

Pam Moen, of the AAA, said that drivers should pay attention to road conditions when making their travel plans.

"The most important thing I think for people who are traveling is to really pay attention to the weather forecast and really heed the advice from the authorities," Moen said.

Moen said that if people venture out during the storm they should keep in mind that if they end up in trouble, it could take a long time to get help.

Watches, Warnings Continue For Some Area Until Friday

McLean said that a winter storm warning remains in effect for Juneau, Adams and Vernon counties until 6 p.m. on Friday.

She said that Thursday will be mostly cloudy and windy with occasional rain. Freezing rain is still possible northwest of Richland Center. The daytime high will reach 35 degrees with winds from the east topping out at 15 to 25 mph.

Once the sun goes down on Christmas Eve, the skies will be mostly cloudy with occasional light rain. Freezing rain and snow west of Richland Center changing to light snow, she said. Ice accumulation of 1/10 of an inch and snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches are possible overnight west of Madison, she said. Overnight lows will remain in the 30s.

Christmas Day will be mostly cloudy, windy and turning colder with rain changing to light snow in the afternoon. The snow will later taper off to flurries, Snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches are possible with heaviest amounts northwest of Madison. Temperatures will climb to a high of 35 degrees, but will steadily fall to the upper 20s by late afternoon.

The NWS said that a Flood Watch is in effect until midnight for eastern Iowa, including the counties of Delaware and Dubuque and until 6 a.m. on Friday in northwestern Illinois, including Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties.

A Flood watch is in effect from noon on Thursday until 6 a.m. on Friday for northeastern Illinois, including the counties of Winnebago, Boone and McHenry, which includes the Rockford and Chicago metro areas.

Click on the following links to receive e-mail or cell phone alerts for severe weather or school closing information.

For the latest weather information, visit Channel 3000's Weather section.

Stay tuned to WISC-TV and Channel 3000 for continuing coverage.